Diwali 2018: Firecrackers other than green crackers not to be sold in Delhi-NCR

This Diwali, firecrackers not conforming to green norms would not be produced henceforth and firecrackers other than green crackers will not be sold in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday. However, firecrackers already produced can be sold in other parts of the country this festive season only, said the SC bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan.

Maintaining its Tuesday's order, the SC in its order indicated that the ban on using all existing stock of crackers that do not comply with green norms is applicable to Delhi-NCR and these crackers could be sold in the rest of India. 

The apex court also admitted that its order on bursting of "green" crackers in Delhi-NCR didn't seem feasible as those are not in production yet. The advocates appearing for firecrackers manufacturers had told the bench on Tuesday that the apex court had never intended to order complete ban on bursting of firecrackers on Diwali but the composition of green crackers was not even finalised. They said that in such a scenario, it would be akin to complete ban on firecrackers as green crackers would possibly come in the market only next year. 

"The green crackers will come only in July 2019 and not before that. We are seeking some kind of modalities of regularisation so that it does not become complete ban this year," one of the counsels said. 

The court also said that community fireworks be made mandatory for all states. Earlier it was optional for states other than in Delhi-NCR. In its October 23 judgment, the apex court encouraged the Centre and state governments in the NCR to consider permitting community fireworks displays wherever possible. A venue, such as an open field, would be identified by the authorities and the exercise should be completed within a week beginning on Tuesday, the court said. “The areas designated now for the purpose of Diwali shall be valid for community fireworks on other occasions/festivals as well,” it had  ruled.

SC permitted timing for bursting firecrackers

1. In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and other southern states: Firecrackers can be burst from  4 am-5 am and from 9 pm-10 pm during festivals.'
2. Community bursting of firecrackers will apply pan India for two hours.
3. Ban on sale of firecrackers through e-commerce websites will apply pan India.