Modifying the Diwali cracker ban order, SC leaves decision on state governments to decide time slot

New Delhi: Modifying the order on bursting firecrackers in Diwali, the Supreme Court has left the decision on state governments to decide the time slot. The apex court cited that the two-hour slot has to be decided by the state government. In its order, the apex court also said its order on use of green crackers during Diwali was meant for Delhi-NCR, not pan-India.

While hearing the plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government, the Court said the state government can decide the time slot but duration cannot exceed the two hours limit. The Tamil Nadu government on Monday had asked the apex court to modify its verdict on bursting crackers to allow them to be used on Diwali morning, as per religious practices in the state.

The plea, filed through advocate B Vinod Khanna, sought modification of apex court order that allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali and other festivals and said the state should be given permission between 4.30 AM to 6.30 AM as well.

Last week, the Supreme Court had refused to impose a blanket ban on firecrackers, allowing the use of “green crackers”. However, the counsel appearing for firecracker manufacturers told the court that it was not possible to come up with green crackers this Diwali since there was no set composition for manufacturing them.

The top court had said crackers containing barium salt or those producing a lot of noise would be banned firecrackers, it added, can be burnt only between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali and other religious festivals, except Christmas Eve and New Year’s night, when they will be allowed between 11.45 pm and 12.45 am.