On Thursday, the 12th of November, the High Court of Telangana passed an order, in which it had ordered the government of Telangana to make sure that no firecrackers are burnt during the upcoming Diwali festival. The government has even made plans, and advised several departments to make sure that this is followed through, in the entire state.
Following the HC’s order, the Telangana Fire Workers Dealers Association filed a petition in the Supreme Court, asking the SC to allow them to sell firecrackers as they would face severe financial trouble, with firecrackers being a seasonal business.
The Supreme Court has now lifted the ban on burning firecrackers, that has been imposed by the HC, and gave a 2 hour window for everyone, on the day of the festival, from 8PM to 10PM, to burn green firecrackers, which do not pollute the air as much as the regular chemical induced firecrackers do. Furthermore, it asked the government to follow the National Green Tribunal, and follow it, with respect to the safety measures that are to be implemented in the state, and in Hyderabad, with respect to burning firecrackers.
The main reason for the SC lifting the ban on burning firecrackers is because it has stated that Hyderabad has moderate air, which could facilitate the burning of firecrackers for some time.