With a view to mitigate the potentially harmful consequences of bursting firecrackers, which may adversely affect the respiratory health of vulnerable groups, the Government of Punjab (Department of Science Technology and Environment) has prohibited and regulated the sale and use of firecrackers in the State and issued the following directions for the upcoming festive season:

1. E-commerce websites including Amazon, Flipkart etc. shall not accept any online orders and/ or effect online sales of firecrackers within the State;

2. Manufacturing, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laries) is banned in the State;

3. Only green crackers (crackers which do not use barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury arsenic, lead or strontium chromate) would be allowed for sale and use in the State. Sale of such crackers may only be through licensed traders for only permitted firecrackers;

4. Licensees of firecrackers are prohibited from storing, displaying, or selling any firecracker whose decibel levels are not within the permitted limits;

5. Only green crackers may be allowed for a very short duration on the following days and time:

6. Violation of the directions will invite immediate penal action under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other provisions as applicable.

Background:

 The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Arjun Gopal and Others v/s Union of India had passed orders dated 23.10.2018 and 31.10.2018 thereby issuing directions for compliance by States with regard to the use of firecrackers.

Subsequently, in view of the adverse impact of pollution and aggravated risk to lives and health as a result of the use of firecrackers, the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal in the matter of Tribunal on its own Motion v/s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other connected matters had passed an order dated 9.11.2020 issuing directions for compliance by States with regard to the use of firecrackers.

In view of the above-mentioned orders and in exercise of powers under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, Government of Punjab (Department of Science Technology and Environment) passes an order restricting, prohibiting and regulating the sale and use of firecrackers in the State, considering the upcoming festive season and to mitigate the potentially harmful consequences of bursting firecrackers, which may adversely affect the respiratory health of vulnerable groups.

Source: Government of Punjab

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