Activists say none of the firecrackers currently being sold fall under the category of “green crackers”.(Express Photo by Sahil Walia/representational)
A DAY after the Supreme Court order regulating the use of firecrackers, activists say none of the firecrackers currently being sold fall under the category of “green crackers”.
Activists say that unless the police step in and implement the SC order, there will be no difference on the ground.
Mumbai Police has said that they are going through the detailed order, after which they will formulate a plan of action to keep an eye on the firecrackers being used in the city.
Awaaz Foundation Convenor Sumaira Abdulali said: “The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation carried out a few tests on firecrackers today. None of them fall under the ‘green crackers’ category that the SC order has allowed. I will be sending the reports to the Mumbai Police so that they can take action and implement the SC order.”
Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Manjunath Singhe said, “We have not received any specific instructions. We are going through the SC order on the use of firecrackers after which the next course of action will be decided.”
An IPS officer said, “As per the guidelines, select spots will also have to be assigned for bursting of crackers. We are also waiting for instructions from the government and should have more clarity on the issue in a day or two.”
Abdulali said: “The SC order gives police the power to ensure that the firecrackers that cause pollution are not used. Now, how seriously the police will take action is for them to decide.”
The SC, on Tuesday, restricted the use of fireworks during all festivals and events across the country to a window between 8 pm and 10 pm. While ruling out a complete ban, the Court imposed stringent conditions on the manufacture and sale of firecrackers.
Applying the “precautionary principle” of environmental law, a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan ordered that only crackers with reduced emission and “green crackers” can be manufactured and sold. They will also have to stick to permissible noise emission standards.