Supreme Court allows sale of firecrackers with caveats; crackers with reduced emission allowed, online sale banned

The Supreme Court has announced its verdict on the plea seeking a nationwide ban on firecrackers, on Tuesday, refusing to impose a complete ban on the manufacture and sale of firecrackers in the country. Here are the regulation imposed by the Supreme Court on sale of firecrackers:

• Manufacturers are directed to stop the sale of those crackers that emit harmful gases
• They are allowed to sell those firecrackers that are approved by the government in the country.
• Only licensed traders are allowed to sell the crackers in the market 
• No e-commerce website will be allowed to sell crackers online. 
• Barium salts in firecrackers banned
• SC bench has also directed the government to implement the appropriate suggestions to curb air pollution. 
• Even the crackers that are produced which do not fulfil the suggestions of the government will be banned
• Cracker ban not confirmed to Diwali, although the ban is applicable to all religious festivals and marriages
• Schools and colleges to be made aware of the harmful effects of firecrackers
• Firecrackers are allowed to be burst only in designated spaces

READ | Supreme Court To Pronounce Verdict Today On Nationwide Ban On Firecrackers

"SHO (Station house officer) will control the sale of firecrackers. If there is any loophole in the investigation, there he will be accountable to it. Firecrackers can be burnt mostly, anywhere but only between 8-10 PM in the evening. Central Pollution Control Board and the state board will prepare 10 days before Diwali to check the level of pollution in the air between and after Diwali. This time the Central and state control board will be alert", said Vijay Panjwani, Advocate of Central Pollution Control Board, speaking on the matter.

In 2017, ahead of Diwali, the top court had put a temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers to put a check on the level of pollution. While the manufacturers filed a plea in the court to sell the firecrackers for few days to earn some livelihood during Diwali, the apex court dismissed it, maintaining its verdict.

Meanwhile, according to recent reports, India has entered the list of world's most polluted cities, fighting the battle with pollution at an alarming rate. Due to the burning of crops during this season and increasing use of fireworks, air pollution is reaching hazardous levels in the country.