The Supreme Court also banned online sale of firecrackers and said it would be the responsibility of e-commerce companies to ensure there is no violation of the order.
The Supreme Court Tuesday permitted the sale and manufacture of low emission “green” firecrackers countrywide and fixed a two-hour time period from 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting them on Diwali and other festivals.
A bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan said although the matter was mentioned in Monday’s (today’s) list they would be pronouncing the judgment on October 23.
The court had reserved its order after hearing the petitioners, firecrackers manufacturers, the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“Firecrackers with permissible decibel sound limits will only be allowed to be sold in the market,” the bench said.It also said that SHO of police stations concerned will be held liable if banned firecrackers are sold in their area.
However, on New Year and Christmas, the period has been further narrowed down to from 11:45pm to 12:15pm.The bench had cited a report that said 20-25 per cent children suffer from respiratory diseases.
The apex court also strictly instructed to restrain from using crackers which produce toxic gases.The court had said that Article 21 (right to life) of constitution implies on people belonging to all sorts of backgrounds.
The court had also asked the centre to provide suggestions on controlling the pollution levels and sought the majority view of the population on the banning of crackers.The apex court had last year banned crackers in the national capital.
The Supreme Court will regulate the sale of crackers. Only licensed traders can sell crackers now. The station house officer (SHO) of the police station concerned will be held liable if prohibited firecrackers are sold in their area.