Taking an eco-friendly initiative, the Punjab government has announced that only green firecrackers will be permitted during festive celebrations for Diwali, Gurpurab, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. These 'green crackers' are free from harmful chemicals such as barium salts, antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, and strontium chromate.
According to an official spokesperson, only green crackers are allowed for sale and use.
The announcement was made on Monday.
Sales are restricted to licensed traders dealing exclusively in permitted firecrackers, said the spokesperson.
Storing, displaying, or selling crackers exceeding permissible decibel levels is prohibited, the official added.
Timings for bursting crackers:
Bursting of firecrackers is allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali (October 31), from 4 am to 5 am and again 9 pm to 10 pm on Gurpurab (November 15), from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on Christmas eve and New Year's eve.
The spokesperson said e-commerce platforms are prohibited from accepting online orders for crackers or facilitating their sales within Punjab. The official cited orders from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, issued periodically for compliance regarding firecracker use.
In accordance with these orders, the state government, exercising powers delegated by the Central government under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, has implemented prohibitions, restrictions and regulations on the sale and use of firecrackers in Punjab.
A statewide ban has been imposed on the manufacture, stockpiling, distribution, sale, and use of joined firecrackers (series of crackers which are joined), said the spokesperson.
Besides, deputy commissioners have been instructed to conduct extensive public awareness campaigns, highlighting the harmful effects of firecrackers.
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