Dispur, Oct 26: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma will be reviewing the recent order of the Assam Pollution Control Board in which it has imposed a ban on firecrackers and allowed only green fireworks, that too for two hours, on Diwali. He also said the order was issued without any consultation with the state government and a new decision on the sale and use of firecrackers will be taken.
Sarma said, “Assam Pollution Control Board has, reportedly, suo motu, without any consultation with Govt, issued an order banning the sale of firecrackers & other restrictions. We’ve taken note of this. The entire issue is being reviewed afresh, holistically, keeping people’s sentiments in mind.”
On October 22, the Pollution Control Board of Assam had issued a notification in which it has imposed a ban on firecrackers on Diwali. Notably, as per the orders, only green fireworks were allowed to be burst, that too only for two hours set by the board. As per the orders, the festivities could run between 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali. Similarly, for Chatt Puja, firecrackers were allowed between 6 AM to 8 AM and for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM.
The board used the powers conferred under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, along with Rule 35 of Air (Prevention & Control Pollution) Assam Rule, 1991. The order stated, “Keeping in view the need of public interest to curb high air pollution, Pollution Control Board, Assam directs that a complete ban has been imposed on bursting and sale of all kinds of firecrackers except green crackers in the state till further orders.”
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The order further read, “Only green crackers can be sold, and bursting is allowed only for two hours during Diwali from 8 PM to 10 PM, during Chhath Puja from 6 AM to 8 AM and during Christmas and New Year’s Eve from 11:55 PM to 12:30 PM. Other than the above-specified festivals, prior permission of the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the districts will be required for the use of only green crackers for a limited period (not more than two hours) in the state of Assam.” As per the orders, if anyone wants to burst firecrackers other than the specified festivals, they would have to take permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the districts.