Kohima, November 3 (MExN): In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive to State governments, the Home department Nagaland on Wednesday notified the Court’s order with respect to manufacture, use and sale of banned firecrackers in the country.
The department informed that the Supreme Court in its October 11, 2021 order directed the Central Government to suspend all such licenses as permit sale of fireworks, wholesale and retail, within the territory of NCR.
The suspension shall remain in force till further orders of this Court; and no such licenses shall be granted or renewed till further orders, the order stated.
The Court order further stated that Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) will ensure fireworks with permitted chemicals only to be purchased/possessed/sold/used during Diwali and all other religious festivals, of any religion whatsoever, and other occasions like marriages, etc. It shall test and check for the presence of banned chemicals like lithium/arsenic/antimony/lead/mercury. PESO will ensure suspension of the licenses of manufacturers of such fireworks items and appropriate disposal of such stock.
Everybody, including the implementing agencies, are bound to see that the directions issued by the Courts are implemented and followed in its true spirit and in toto, the order added.
The Court said that it is the duty of all the States/State Agencies to see that the directions issued by it in the earlier orders are strictly complied with. “No authority can be permitted the violation of the directions issued by this Court and permit banned firecrackers under the guise of celebration,” it asserted.
While issuing the interim directions, the Court took into consideration the harmful effects of fireworks on the ambient air and the lungs, eyes and ears of the people. The Court also took note of the fact that extreme nuisance, noise the fireworks cause to citizens particularly the ailing and the aged.
The crackers with reduced emission (improved crackers) and green crackers would be permitted to be manufactured and sold. The manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) are banned as the same cause huge air, noise and solid waste problems.
The sale shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these licensed traders are selling those firecrackers which are permitted by the order.
Further, no e-commerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon, etc., shall accept any online orders and effect online sales. Any such e-commerce companies found selling crackers online will be hauled up for contempt of court and the Court may also pass, in that eventuality, orders of monetary penalties as well. Barium salts in the fireworks is also hereby banned, the order stated.
Only those firecrackers which are found to be injurious to health and affecting the health of the citizens, more particularly the senior citizens and the children have been banned.
All the States/Union Territories have been directed by the Court to see that the directions are strictly complied with in its true spirit and in toto.
Any lapse on the part of the State Governments/State Agencies and Union Territories shall be viewed very seriously and if it is found that any banned firecrackers are manufactured, sold and used in any particular area, the Chief Secretary of the concerned State(s), the Secretary (Homes) of the concerned State(s) and the Commissioner of Police of the concerned area, District Superintendent of Police of the concerned area and the SHO/Police Officer in-charge of the concerned police station shall be held personally liable, as per the Court order.
All States/Union Territories have also been directed to give due publicity through electronic media/print media/local cable services to make the people aware and know the directions issued by the Court with respect to manufacture, use and sale of banned firecrackers.
