The Truth Behind Firecracker Ban In India
Ahead of the auspicious festival of Diwali, the Supreme Court, in a significant move, emphasized that its directive concerning the prohibition of barium and other banned chemicals in firecrackers extends not solely to the National Capital Region but encompasses the entirety of the nation.
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh addressed an application seeking compliance from the Rajasthan government in adherence to the apex court’s rulings against the use of banned chemicals and the regulation of noise levels.
The directives issued throughout these petitions have clearly emphasized actions aimed at reducing both air and noise pollution. Thus, it is imperative to note that these orders bind every state in the country, including Rajasthan. It’s incumbent upon the state of Rajasthan to observe and implement measures to minimize air and noise pollution, not just limited to the festive season but extending beyond,” articulated the bench.
The counsel representing the applicant raised concerns about the prevailing misconception that the Supreme Court’s order is confined to Delhi-NCR. Highlighting the misconception, the counsel urged the court to issue clear directives to dispel such notions.
Back in October 2018, the apex court had imposed a ban on the production and sale of all crackers except for ‘green crackers’ and those with reduced emissions, known as ‘improved crackers.’ Additionally, it prohibited the creation and distribution of ‘joined crackers,’ barred the use of barium salts in fireworks, and mandated that their noise levels adhere to permissible limits. Online sales of these products were banned, permitting their sale exclusively through licensed traders and specifying a time schedule for bursting on various occasions.
This stance was reaffirmed in the court’s order on October 29, 2021.
The court emphasized that the ban on firecrackers was not absolute. It clarified that only those firecrackers found to be detrimental to health were prohibited, emphasizing a discerning approach to safeguard public health.