Ahead Of Diwali, NCR States Urge Supreme Court To Allow Bursting Of Green Firecrackers In Delhi, Surrounding Areas

The National Capital Region (NCR) states on Friday (10 October) urged the Supreme Court to permit the use of green firecrackers in Delhi and adjoining areas during Diwali celebrations, reported The Times Of India.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NCR states, informed a bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran that green crackers could be allowed between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali.

“We have made suggestions,” Mehta told the bench, explaining that the states had proposed a balanced approach for the court to consider.

Mehta suggested that firecrackers should be permitted under specific conditions — only green crackers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) should be manufactured and sold.

He added that the NCR states, the Delhi government, and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) would ensure that joint firecrackers, or “laris,” are neither produced nor used.

“Let the children celebrate at least for two days,” Mehta said, as quoted by Live Law.

He further recommended that only licensed traders sell green crackers and that e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart be barred from accepting or delivering online orders.

Mehta also proposed allowing fireworks on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve between 11.55 pm and 12.30 am.

Additionally, he suggested permitting green crackers for Guru Purab, from 4 am to 5 am and again between 9 pm and 10 pm.

He added that sale and use of green firecrackers could also be permitted for weddings and other occasions,

On 26 September, the Supreme Court allowed certified manufacturers to produce green crackers but directed that they cannot be sold in Delhi-NCR without its approval. The Apex Court also asked the Centre to review the complete ban on firecracker production in the region.

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