Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in one of his recent tweets, had stated that there will be no "firecracker" restrictions ahead of Diwali. He termed it as a right of the Hindus.
"Like any other religion, Hindus have the right to celebrate festivals. With improvement in COVID-19 situation in Assam, we plan no restrictions on celebration of Diwali including use of firecrackers. However, kindly remember, self-restraint is key to combat COVID-19," the Health Minister posted.
This comes at a time the state pollution control board (PCB) has ordered for a total firecracker ban in the need of public interest to curb high air pollution in Guwahati. The PCB directed a total ban against the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Guwahati from midnight of November 9 - November 10, 2020 to the midnight of November 30 — December 1, 2020 to be reviewed thereafter.
It also cited that in other areas except for Guwahati only green crackers can be sold and bursting is allowed only for two hours - from 8 pm to 10 pm - during the Diwali festival. During Chath Puja the timing is from 6 am to 8 am and during Christmas and New Year Eve from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am."
The decision is in line with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) notice regarding pollution from firecrackers. A bench headed by the chairperson of the NGT sent notices to 18 states and union territories of India including Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya to expand the scope of hearing cases on pollution by firecrackers during Diwali.
Along with the PCB directive, the bursting of firecrackers has also been prohibited near the Guwahati Refinery and its peripheries. Rajveer, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Police District, Guwahati has prohibited fireworks and bursting of crackers, etc within 500 metres’ radius from the Guwahati Refinery, Noonmati, Oil India Pumping Station, Satgaon, and Oil Pipelines within Central Police District, Guwahati. The reason is huge quantities of highly volatile and inflammable petroleum products stored in the refinery. Further, the use of fireworks and bursting of crackers is prohibited within Silence Zones of Central Police District, Guwahati.
With the state Health Minister’s tweet contradicting the aforementioned direction towards regulations, confusion prevails over whether firecrackers are allowed or banned in Guwahati as well as the entire state of Assam.
Sources close to the Deputy Commissioner's office has revealed a planned SOP was prepared for the Diwali firecracker but the PCB and the statements by the minister have even cautioned the office from releasing any guidelines.
But, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments might have a solid ground.
Earlier, the NGT had directed all states and union territories to initiate drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of the potential aggravation of COVID-19. As such the NGT has called for a firecracker ban in cities and towns where air quality during November falls under the 'poor' and above category, PTI reported.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the Guwahati AQI level is at 106, which falls under the moderate category.
There are a total of six categories, which include: good (0-50), satisfactory (51-100), moderate (101-200), poor (201-300), very poor (301-400), and severe (above 400). NGT's ban will include only the cities falling in the last three categories. Since Guwahati doesn’t fall under the ‘poor’ and above category; there might be a case for the exemption.
Assam Forest Minister, Parimal Suklabaidya, had also denied a blanket ban being enforced in Assam while speaking to G Plus.
"On a personal level, I would insist people opt for non-polluting firecrackers. Instead of banning, we are looking for a solution," Suklabaidya told G Plus.