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The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave permission for sale of firecrackers with certain conditions. The apex court in order said that only firecrackers having less noise and less emission will be allowed. The court made it clear that only license holders will be allowed to sale firecrackers. E-commerce companies like Flipkart will not be permitted to sale firecrackers.
According to Supreme Court order, during Diwali and other festivals, firecrackers can be used only between 8-10 pm. However, on Christmas and New Year, the firecrackers can be used between 11:45 pm to 12:45 am.
The apex court bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan had reserved its verdict in this case on August 28. While hearing the plea, the apex court had said that there was a need to take into account all aspects in this case.
The court pointed out that the case involved both the fundamental right of livelihood of firecracker manufacturers as well as the right to health of over 1.3 billion people in the country.
The top court had said the Article 21 (right to life) of Constitution applies to both segments of people and it needs to maintain a balance while considering a countrywide ban on firecrackers.
It had asked Centre to suggest measures to be taken for curbing the pollution and what will be the effect of firecrackers on the public at large.
The apex court had on August 8 said a spike in PM 2.5 levels in the air is a severe problem as the particulate matter remains in people’s lungs, leading to serious health implications.
Firecrackers manufacturers earlier told the court that use of firecrackers should not be completely banned and it should instead be strictly regulated.
They have contended that the crackers are not the reason for increase in air pollution and there are other factors, like wind and temperature, which contribute to it.
They have said the firecracker manufacturers can be deprived of their right to do business based on statements which were not supported by facts.
On October 9 last year, the top court temporarily banned the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali.
Later, the court refused to relax its order while dismissing a plea by traders who had sought permission to sell crackers for at least a day or two before Diwali on October 19, 2017.
The apex court said its ban order during Diwali that year was an experiment to examine its effect on the pollution levels in the region.
(With PTI inputs)
