Imposes conditions on use and sale

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today refused to impose complete ban on sale of firecrackers across the country. The apex Court said that sale can happen through only licensed traders and that only green crackers can be sold. Online sale of firecrackers has been completely banned.

The Court also restricted the duration during which firecrackers can be burst.

On Deepavali and other religious festivals, crackers can be burst only for two hours between 8 pm and 10 pm. But for Christmas and New Year, it will be allowed only from 11.45 pm to 12.45 pm.

The Supreme Court directions apply to all festivals and functions like marriages. The Supreme Court today said that only firecrackers with reduced emission and decibel levels will be permitted during all festivals.

The Supreme Court’s verdict came in response to a plea seeking a ban on manufacturing and sale of firecrackers across the country to curb air pollution.

Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan had reserved the verdict on Aug.28 on the PILs filed by three children.

Gopal Sankaranarayanan, lawyer of petitioners Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin, had sought a complete ban on sale, purchase and transportation of crackers.

In the past, the apex Court had said that while deciding on a ban on firecrackers, it is imperative to take into account the fundamental right of livelihood of firecracker manufacturers and the right to health of over 1.3 billion people of the country.