As the bursting of fireworks leads to a sharp increase in air pollution, especially in Delhi and NCR, the Centre as well as state governments are trying to control this keeping in mind the health of the people.
Diwali 2022: Firecrackers Use, Sale & Purchase Norms in India
Punjab
The Punjab government clarified on Wednesday that on Diwali, October 24, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., people can burst firecrackers.
Punjab’s environment, science, and technology minister said that only green firecrackers will be permitted for sale through authorized traders and the manufacturing, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of joined firecrackers are all prohibited in the state.
He further said that besides Diwali, crackers will be permitted for one hour from 4 am to 5 am & one hour from 9 to 10 pm on November 8, Prakash Purab day of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. He also added that firecrackers would be permitted for 35 minutes on Christmas Eve from 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. on December 25 and 26 and for 35 minutes on New Year's Eve from December 31 to January 1.
Delhi
The storage, sale, and use of all firecrackers in the national capital are prohibited by an order issued by the Delhi government until January 1, 2023.
The SC on 13 October 2022 refused to accord an urgent hearing to a petition against the state government's strict order. The petitioners resisted that the absolute ban by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee is in breach of the orders of the SC and the NGT, which never provided for such a blanket ban.
Haryana
All types of firecrackers, with the exception of green crackers, are now illegal to produce, sell, or use, according to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
West Bengal
According to the Calcutta High Court's order, the West Bengal government will only permit green fireworks to be used during the Kali Puja on October 24 and would abide by the advice of two national organisations, according to minister Manas Bhunia.
The Calcutta High Court directed that during the celebration, no pyrotechnics other than green crackers with QR codes could be imported or sold in the state.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu government has permitted bursting crackers twice on Diwali, continuing the same trends from the previous four years, for a period of one hour. The authorised time period is from 6-7am to 7-8pm.
