GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 23, directed that only green firecrackers would be sold in the country which are less polluting but refused to impose a blanket ban on firecrackers.
In order to check the aggravated air pollution levels due to bursting of firecrackers, a group of activists had petitioned the top court for a complete ban on fireworks.
The apex court, permitting the manufacture and sale of green crackers which have low emission across the country, fixed 8 PM to 10 PM as the time period for bursting of firecrackers on Diwali.
Further, it has ordered that on the occasion of New Year and Christmas, bursting of firecrackers will be allowed between 11:45 PM to 12:30 AM. The SC also said that selling of 'larries' or series firecrackers will not be allowed in the country.
A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan banned the online sale of firecrackers and restrained e-commerce websites from selling them.
