The Supreme Court on Friday modified an order of the Telangana High Court that had banned the sale and use of firecrackers in the state. The apex court has granted partial relief to the Telangana Fire Works Dealers Association (TFWDA) allowing the sale and bursting of green crackers for two hours during Diwali.
Earlier on Friday, the Telangana government issued an order imposing a ban on sale and use of firecrackers with immediate effect following directions from the state High Court. The high court had directed the state on Thursday to immediately ban the sale and use of fireworks by the people and organisations and to immediately clamp down and close shops which are selling fireworks.
The earlier government order had said the high court has issued directions to appeal to people, both through print and the electronic media, to refrain from bursting firecrackers to prevent deterioration in air quality. "The government after careful consideration of the matter and keeping in view the directions of the Hon'ble High Court, hereby impose ban on sale and use of firecrackers by the people and organisations, with immediate effect," the order had said.