The court intervened following findings that both licensed and unlicensed firecrackers, including products lacking QR codes, remain widely available across retail markets. Under an existing October 29 ruling, green firecrackers are permitted in Delhi-NCR solely on November 7 and 8 during specific morning and evening hours. A total ban on all firecrackers is scheduled to resume across the region on November 9. In addition, officials have been instructed to demarcate strict 300-metre buffer zones around sensitive facilities like hospitals and old-age homes.
Key points
Local authorities have faced judicial criticism for failing to properly enforce existing…: Local authorities have faced judicial criticism for failing to properly enforce existing firecracker restrictions across Delhi-NCR.
A complete prohibition on the sale and bursting of firecrackers will officially resume on…: A complete prohibition on the sale and bursting of firecrackers will officially resume on November 9.
Officials are mandated to mark and publicise 300-metre no-cracker zones surrounding healt…: Officials are mandated to mark and publicise 300-metre no-cracker zones surrounding healthcare facilities and silence areas.
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A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale took note of a Hindustan Times report showing that both licensed and unlicensed firecrackers were available in markets, including products with and without QR codes.
"Please look into it," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, expressing concern over the sale of firecrackers despite the restrictions in place.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR gets two days of green crackers as Supreme Court caps bursting at three hours a day and sets 300-metre no-cracker zones
The Supreme Court has allowed the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8 for Diwali, with bursting permitted only between 6 am and 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm.
In its October 29 order, which was made available on Monday, the court acknowledged that bursting firecrackers would add to pollution levels. However, it said there was not enough data to determine whether a complete ban would be the most effective way to address the problem.
The bench also expressed concern over the authorities' failure to properly enforce its earlier…
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