Lexplosion Wishes you a safe and healthy Diwali 2020
What’s permitted this Diwali
- Only Green Crackers may be sold in cities and towns where air quality is moderate or below
- Timings for bursting Green Crackers has been restricted to 2 hours (timings may vary between States)
- In the absence of specified timings in any State, the prescribed timings will be 8 pm to 10 pm
What are Green Crackers?
- Low emission sound and light emitting functional crackers with PM reduction by 30-35% and significant reduction in NOx and SO2
- Environment-friendly fireworks such as sound emitting crackers, flowerpots, pencils, chakkar and sparklers
- Check the green logo and a Quick Response (QR) Code system and purchase crackers only from licensed traders
What’s not permitted
Sale or use of firecrackers in the NCR and all cities and towns in India where average ambient air quality during November fall under the ‘poor’ and above category
Source: NGT Order dated 9.11.2020
Snapshot | States which have announced a crackdown on Firecrackers
Delhi
Complete ban implemented on bursting and selling of all firecrackers since 7.11.2020 upto 30.11.2020
Rajasthan
Complete ban implemented on selling and bursting of firecrackers by compounding the following as offences under the Rajasthan Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020:
a. any shopkeeper selling any kind of fireworks: Rs. 10, 000/-
b. any person found using or allowing the firing of any kind of fireworks: Rs. 2000/-
Sikkim
imposes complete ban on bursting of firecrackers in the State
Chandigarh
Complete ban has been implemented on:
a. sale of firecrackers;
b. use of firecrackers of any kind
West Bengal
The High Court at Calcutta has directed the following during the festive period:
a. no use or display of firecrackers during Kali Puja, Diwali, Chhat Puja, Jagadhatri Puja and Guru Nanak’s birthday celebration;
b. only wax or oil based diyas to be used during Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations;
c. prohibition on sale or purchase of firecrackers and any like material which have the potential to pollute the air;
d. no firecrackers to be brought into the State;
e. Kali puja pandals are no-entry zones;
f. pandals to be open from all sides;
g. sanitisers to be made available at puja pandals and wearing of masks and social distancing is mandatory within and around the pandal area
Haryana
Bursting of firecrackers has been banned in Rewari District of Haryana.
Panchkula District of Haryana has prohibited the bursting of crackers subject to following exemptions:
a. only green crackers are permitted;
b. bursting of firecrackers allowed on Diwali and other festival days from 8:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Odisha
Odisha has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers in all parts of the State since 10.11.2020 effective upto 30.11.2020.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu PCB has prescribed the following:
a. bursting of firecrackers allowed only from 7 pm upto 8 pm;
b. only low-noise and low pollution firecrackers have been allowed;
c. with prior permission of the local authorities, public may gather in open air and collectively try setting off firecrackers through the welfare associations in those areas;
d. prohibited exploding firecrackers which cause loud noises and continuous explosions;
e. prohibited bursting of firecrackers near flammable areas and hospitals or places of worship;
Maharashtra
Guidelines issued by the Government of Maharashtra for celebrating Diwali:
a. citizens, especially senior citizens and children to avoid going out during the festival period;
b. use of masks and social distancing is mandatory;
c. gatherings and events prohibited; if event is organised, the same should be broadcast online or through social media;
d. citizens to avoid setting off firecrackers and instead celebrate on a large scale by arranging lamps;
e. awareness regarding hygiene should be created while ensuring that people do not come together in large numbers;
f. prohibition on sale of foreign-made firecrackers which have been illegally imported;
Jammu and Kashmir
a. Only ‘green crackers’ permitted for sale and use in the Cities of Jammu and Srinagar;
b. bursting of green crackers restricted to two hours:
- Diwali and Gurupurab: 8 pm to 10 pm;
- Chhatt: 6 am to 8 am;
- Eve of Christmas and New year: 11:55 am to 12:30 am
Karnataka
a. green firecrackers allowed;
b. temporary green fireworks stores permitted to open;
c. such stores to display a copy of license issued by the concerned authority;
d. daily santization of green firework stores to be carried out while also ensuring the requirement for maintaining 6 feet social distancing;
e. no crowding while purchasing fireworks
