No ‘green’ crackers in markets, prepare to face Diwali brunt

LUCKNOW: While Supreme Court has ruled that only ‘green’ crackers can be used this Diwali, TOI could not find the specified crackers in any of the city markets and consequently the ‘non-green’ crackers are being sold and would be used.


Manufacturers said that the production of ‘green’ crackers will start only after Diwali.

Spokesperson of Sri Kaliswari Fireworks Private Limited, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, told TOI over phone that the production of ‘green’ crackers has not yet started. “The SC decision came recently and we do not have enough time to produce the new variety of crackers specified by the apex court," he said.

Spokesperson of another leading company, Standard Fireworks, Sivakasi, said, “The production of ‘green’ crackers takes time. With just nine days left for Diwali, we will not be able to supply green crackers by the time.”

Dealers in wholesale and retail markets at Kakori and Thakurganj are selling their last year’s stock besides the crackers which they bought a month ago. Akhilesh Singh, a wholesaler in Kakori market, said, “We have not got any orders from district administration about any restrictions on sale of crackers. So, we are selling the crackers we bought from manufacturers 10-15 days before.” Mohammad Anees, another dealer in Kakori market, said, “We are selling crackers like every year. We don’t know anything about ‘green’ crackers. Besides, no official from district administration has come to tell us about any such Supreme Court order.”

After going through the report submitted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Supreme Court had said in its order that only ‘green’ crackers be used in Diwali. These crackers do not contain harmful chemicals and hence do not cause air pollution.

District officials said they have not received a copy of the SC order yet. The order is with home ministry which has to take decision on its implementation and enforcement, said officials.