No ban but SC restricts firecrackers on Diwali
Only low emission crackers allowed, time limit set for festivals
ture and sale of firecrackers across the country to curb air pollution.
The bench said e-commerce websites will be hauled up for contempt of court if they don’t adhere to the court’s direction.
“Firecrackers with permissible decibel sound limits will only be allowed to be sold in the market,” the bench said.
The court also asked the Centre to encourage community cracker bursting during Diwali and other festivals in Delhi-NCR and directed all states to explore its feasibility.
The court said station house officers of police stations concerned will be held liable if banned firecrackers are sold in their area.
The top court was of the view that there is need to take into account all aspects, including the fundamental right of livelihood of firecracker manufacturers and the right to health of over 1.3 billion people in the country.
The apex court said Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution applies to both segments of people and it needs to maintain a balance while considering a countrywide ban on firecrackers.
It asked the Centre to suggest measures for curbing pollution and the effect of firecrackers on the public at large.
Firecracker manufacturers told the court that the use of crackers should not be completely banned and should instead be strictly regulated.
They contended that crackers are not the reason for increase in air pollution and there are other factors, like wind and temperature, which contribute to it.