The Supreme Court today said that only firecrackers with reduced emission and decibel levels will be permitted during all festivals. On Diwali, firecrackers could be burst between 8 pm and 10 pm. People can burst firecrackers on Christmas and New Year between 11:55 pm and 12:30 am. Crackers cannot be sold online and if they are, the sites will be hauled up for contempt. Activists had petitioned the top court for a complete ban on fireworks as pollution levels rise in the capital, New Delhi, ahead of Diwali.
Here are the 5 big developments in the story:
Only reduced emission crackers can be manufactured and sold.
Ladis or chain-firecrackers which are very noisy are banned.
Sale of firecrackers will happen only through licensed vendors.
Only those that are within noise pollution limits set in July 2005 verdict are allowed.
Firecrackers are allowed from 8 to 10 pm on Diwali, 11:55 pm to 12:30 am on Christmas and New Year.
