4 hrs ago
Supreme Court Rejects Blanket Ban, Restricts Fireworks Hours
The Supreme Court is deciding when people may use firecrackers.
It said firecrackers will not be completely banned.
It also said people cannot use them all day and night.
The judges want to choose specific hours for fireworks.
They said a total ban could hurt people’s festival feelings.
They also said too much noise and pollution can harm older people, sick people, children and other living beings.
The government suggested allowing some specially designed green crackers under strict rules.
The court will discuss the use of barium in firecrackers on October 15.
The Supreme Court said it would not impose a complete firecracker ban or allow fireworks around the clock.
Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said specific hours should be set to balance festival sentiments with public health and environmental concerns.
The government proposed limited permission for specified next-generation joined green crackers recommended by CSIR-NEERI.
Any permitted crackers would need to meet noise, emission and safety standards, contain no banned chemicals and be made by licensed manufacturers.
The Supreme Court will consider the use of barium in firecrackers on October 15.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale heard the matter, with Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presenting the government’s note.
- What
- The court is considering time limits for firecracker use and conditional permission for specified next-generation joined green crackers.
- Where
- The matter was heard in the Supreme Court; the articles also refer to earlier green-cracker restrictions in Delhi and the National Capital Region.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday, September 30; the court will consider barium use on October 15.
- Why
- The court is seeking to balance festival sentiments with concerns about noise, emissions, safety and effects on older people, sick people, children and other living beings.
Festival Access and Sentiments
Health, Safety and Environmental Controls
Extent of restrictions
Festival Access and Sentiments
A complete ban could hurt festival sentiments, supporting some conditional access to firecrackers.
Health, Safety and Environmental Controls
Fireworks should not be allowed throughout the day because noise and emissions could affect older people, sick people, children and other living beings.
Green-cracker permission
Festival Access and Sentiments
Specified next-generation joined green crackers could be allowed under limited conditions.
Health, Safety and Environmental Controls
Any permitted crackers should satisfy noise, emission and safety requirements, contain no banned chemicals and be manufactured only by licensed manufacturers.
Key facts
- Court position
- No complete ban and no round-the-clock fireworks.
- Proposed approach
- Firecrackers would be allowed only during specified hours.
- Products under consideration
- Specified next-generation joined green crackers.
- Recommendation
- The crackers were recommended by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI).
- Noise limit
- 125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C) peak.
- Manufacturing requirement
- Only duly licensed manufacturers could produce permitted crackers.
- Next hearing
- The use of barium will be considered on October 15.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale
The Supreme Court bench hearing the firecracker-use case
“We will make it very clear. Neither are we going to agree to a total ban, nor are we going to allow them to do it (fireworks) for 24 hours a day. A total ban will affect sentiments. And allowing them throughout the day will have a huge impact on every other living being, including the old, sick and children. We need to find a solution by which we can give a specified time.”
indianexpress.com
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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