Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers In Delhi-NCR On Diwali, Sets Two-Hour Time Slots
On Monday, the Supreme Court on November 7 and 8 allowed green firecrackers for use in Delhi-NCR, days before and on Diwali. People were permitted to crack the crackers at certain times in the morning and evening, with a warning that all pollution-control measures would be strictly enforced.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale allowed the use of green crackers between 6 am and 7 am on both days and between 8 pm and 10 pm on both days.
Earlier the court had refused to ban firecrackers outright, stating that it was interested in ‘balancing sentiments of the public with concerns of environment.’ But it stressed that such restrictions would be ineffective if not executed properly.
The impact of air pollution on people and environment was said by the bench as it goes to every living being, the bench observed.
The judges also warned the authorities to not become complacent over the continued failure to implement court orders. They emphasized that enforcement staffs should stay in the field to ensure that the restrictions are observed.
The SC is asking for assistance and awareness among the public in this regard.
The Supreme Court said that the control of pollution from firecrackers would need the cooperation of citizens, government authorities and others. It also recommended to engage celebrities, such as sportspersons, in awareness campaigns and underlining the health and environmental impacts of fireworks bursting.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that the issue needs the attention of the authorities as the court’s directions need to be followed.
Delhi Government announced pollution-control measures
The Centre has told the court during the hearing, that the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) are taking measures to address the increasing pollution during the winters.
The recommendations being made are a ban on older vehicles, a ban on constructions and demolition and staggered office working hours in the national capital.
The Centre also told the court that it was discussing the issue of the use of barium in fire-crackers and wanted three weeks to finalise the process. The court will consider the issue following consultations, it said.
The situation of being sold, conventional crackers as green crackers, has been concerning people.
The court was also made aware of the issues related to the use and sale of conventional crackers as ‘green crackers’.
An advocate appearing as amicus curiae pointed out the negative impact on the environment by firecrackers and the effects of its particulate matter on the human body which include the lungs and other organs.
Also, she raised a doubt about the presence of a proper mechanism to check the claims made by manufacturers regarding the green crackers as the AQI of Delhi-NCR has also increased during Dussehra.
In the case of the petitioners who had been seeking restrictions on firecrackers, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan had contended that the previous court directions had been violated several times and the ban should be imposed on the manufacture of firecrackers.
The Supreme Court was also considering two petitions, one suo motu to highlight issue of firecrackers and stubble burning and solid waste management in Delhi-NCR region. The other petition wanted to ban the production of firecrackers.
The court also had granted such permission to sell and use green crackers in Delhi-NCR for a trial period at specific times near Diwali last year.