T'gana govt permits sale use of green crackers

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (PTI) The Telangana government has
permitted the sale and use of green crackers following Supreme
Court orders modifyinga High Court directive to the state to
ban use of fireworks citing COVID-19 pandemic.
The specified time period for bursting of crackers is
between 8 PM and 10 PM on Deepavali day (Saturday).
A fresh Government Order (GO) was issued on November 13,
supersedinga previous directive on November12, which imposed
an immediate ban on sale and use of firecrackers following HC
directions.
"In supersession of the orders issued in the G.O. 1st
read above, Government keeping in view the orders of the
Honble Supreme Court of India in the reference 2nd read above
hereby order that only green crackers shall be sold and used.
The timings for use and bursting of crackers is
restricted to two hours i.e., 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Deepavali
day," the GO said.
The Member Secretary of Telangana Pollution Control Board
shall initiate a special drive to contain air pollution from
all sources in view of potential aggravation of COVID-19 and
shall regularly monitor the air quality during the said period
and upload in the respective website, the GO said.
It said the state DGP, DG of Fire Services, Member
Secretary of state Pollution Control Board, the district
Collectors, Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of
Police in the state shall take necessary action accordingly.
On Friday, the Supreme Court had modified a Telangana
High Court order imposing complete and immediate ban on sale
of firecrackers in the state during Diwali, saying the
directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) on bursting of
firecrackers keeping in mind the pollution level be followed.
The NGT, on November 9, imposed a total ban on sale or
use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital
Region (NCR) till November 30 midnight.
It had said the direction of complete ban will apply to
all cities and towns in the country where the average of
ambient air quality during November 2019 was in 'poor' and
above categories.
It, however, had said that in cities or towns where air
quality is 'moderate' or below, only green crackers be sold.
The Telangana High Court on November 12 came out with an
order asking the state government to ban the sale and use of
firecrackers and it was challenged by the Telangana Fire
Workers Dealers Association (TFWDA) in the top court.
Two other southern states-- Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka, have allowed the use of green crackers during
Deepavali.PTI SJR
ROH ROH

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)