Firecrackers C'garh govt for strict compliance to NGT order

    Raipur, Nov 9 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh government on
Monday directed officials to strictly implement the order of
the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the sale and use of
firecrackers observing that excessive fireworks may trigger
air pollution that could increase the spread of COVID-19.
    A state government official said the duration of
fireworks for festivals like Diwali, Chhath Puja, Christmas,
Guru Parv and New Year has been restricted to two hours.
    As per the NGT guidelines, the sale and use of green
firecrackers will be allowed in the cities with
good/satisfactory/moderate Air Quality Index (AQI).
    "The order issued by Chhattisgarh chief secretary RP
Mandal said that excessive fireworks could trigger air
pollution that may increase the spread of COVID-19. In view of
this, the strict compliance with the guidelines issued by the
NGT should be ensured," the official said.
    As per the guidelines, fireworks timing on the
occasions of Diwali and Guru Parva has been fixed between 8 pm
and 10 pm and between 6 am and 8 am for Chhath Puja, he said,
adding that the same is fixed between 11.55 pm and 12.30 am
for New Year/Christmas.
    License-holding traders will be allowed to sell
improved and green crackers that cause less pollution, the
official said, adding that the sale of firecrackers with
higher decibel sound than the prescribed limits will not be
allowed.
    License of manufacturers will be cancelled if
lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury is found
mixed in their crackers, the official said.
    He said online sell of crackers has also been banned.
    All district collectors and superintendents of police
(SPs) in the state have been asked for strict compliance of
the guidelines, he said.
    All the seven regional offices of Chhattisgarh
Environment Conservation Board have been asked for regular
monitoring of air quality and updating the same on the website
of the board, he added. PTI TKP
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)