Noida to give cracker sales licences, unlike Delhi, Gurugram

NOIDA: Sale of only ‘green’ crackers will be officially allowed in Noida and Greater Noida from November 4. This was announced by the district administration on Friday. No licences have been issued in Delhi and Gurugram.
“Sale and use of firecrackers will be allowed in the twin cities on the basis of the guidelines of Supreme Court. All measures will be taken to ensure absolute compliance of the rules specified by the court. Anyone flouting the rules will be held in contempt,” district magistrate BN Singh said.

The number of firecracker sellers in the district would be half the number allowed to sell two years ago. While the area for sale of crackers will be decided by Noida Authority, only 50% of sellers who had applied in year 2016 will get permission this year. School will need to sensitize students on the usage of crackers. Toxic crackers which contain antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, strontium chromate are prohibited. No fire crackers should be procured from outside NCR. The permissions to be granted over next few days for sale of crackers would specifically allow only sale of ‘low-emission’ crackers, which are not available in the market. The district administration has already submitted letter of compliance to the state government, citing the necessary steps adopted for controlling firecracker sales and use in the region.

The Supreme Court, in an order on October 23, issued specific guidelines for bursting of firecracker on any occasion in India. The court has designated two hours from 8pm to 10pm for people to burst crackers and they would not be burst within 100 meters from hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district care centres.