Odisha: HC allows use of green crackers for 2 hours on Diwali

CUTTACK/BHUBANESWAR: Ending days of suspense, the Orissa high court on Monday allowed the use of green crackers between 8pm and 10pm on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday, according to the stipulations of the state government.
The HC disposed of a petition filed by the All-Odisha Fireworks' Dealers' Association challenging the September 30 ban on firecrackers issued by special relief commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena in view of his latest (October 31) order allowing green fireworks.
A two-judge bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice B P Routray said "no further orders are called for" after considering the SRC's order allowing the sale of green crackers only.
"The sale and use of green fireworks that conform to the standards set by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Environmental Research Institute (NEERI) will be allowed, while all other crackers will remain completely banned. Use of any cracker beyond the 8pm-10 pm time frame will invite penal action," the SRC's October 31 order, submitted before the court on Monday, read.
Traders and dealers have to get certificates from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) saying that the crackers in their stocks conform to the CSIR-NEERI norms. The district administrations will set up special zones for the retailers to set shops and sell the allowed crackers.
The green crackers will be sold at designated sites where Covid-19 protocols will be strictly followed. No cracker will be sold online.