The Calcutta High Court has ordered a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers, including green firecrackers, this Diwali and for the upcoming festivals and events including Christmas and New Year celebrations in West Bengal.
The High Court has today on October 29 observed that only wax or oil based diyas shall be permitted to be used.
A bench comprising Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Aniruddha Roy was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Roshni Ali seeking a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers during the upcoming festivities to safeguard people’s right to clean, healthy and breathable air, particularly during the COVID19 pandemic.
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Two days ago, on October 27, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) announced that only green firecrackers can be sold in the state and that they could be fired for two hours — between 8pm and 10pm — during Diwali and for two hours on Chhath from 6-8am, and for 35 minutes during Christmas and New Year’s eve from 11:55 pm to 12:30am.
However, the recent order by Calcutta High Court has also banned the use of green crackers. “Keeping in mind the practical realities, we find that there is no mechanism in place to ascertain whether the crackers being sold/burst are only green crackers in compliance with the norms set in place by the relevant certifying body,” read the Division Bench order.
