The Supreme Court is currently considering submissions from National Capital Region (NCR) states on permitting the use of green firecrackers during Diwali and other celebrations, balancing environmental concerns with cultural practices.
The matter arises against the backdrop of a September 26 order allowing certified manufacturers to produce green firecrackers, while prohibiting their sale in Delhi-NCR without express court approval. The Court had also directed the Centre to reconsider the comprehensive ban on firecracker manufacturing in the region, prompting fresh submissions from the states.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested that green firecrackers be allowed in Delhi and adjoining areas between 8 pm and 10 pm during Diwali. As he put it, "Let the children celebrate at least for two days." The Solicitor General emphasized that the states had proposed a calibrated approach for the Court’s consideration, ensuring that only green crackers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) are manufactured and sold.
To prevent misuse, SG proposed stringent regulatory measures, including a ban on joint firecrackers, or ‘laris’, and limiting sales to licensed traders who may sell only permitted crackers. "It shall be ensured by the NCR state governments, GNCTD and PESO that no e-commerce website, including Flipkart, Amazon etc, shall accept any online order and effect any online sale," he submitted.
The Solicitor General also suggested extending the limited use of green crackers to other occasions, including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Gurpurab, marriages, and similar events, specifying permissible timings such as 11.55 pm to 12.30 am for year-end celebrations and 4 am to 5 am or 9 pm to 10 pm for Gurpurab.
Delhi, along with 16 adjoining districts from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, constitutes the NCR, the jurisdiction within which these regulations would operate if approved. The hearing is ongoing, with the Court yet to pronounce any final directions on the scope and timing of green firecracker usage.
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