Govt issues fresh guidelines for sale of crackers following Supreme Court’s mandate

Govt issues fresh guidelines for sale of crackers following Supreme Court’s mandate

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 31, 2021: With Diwali round the corner, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued fresh guidelines for the sellers with permission to sell only green crackers. While the products listed under green crackers get approval from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), they are developed by CSIR-NEERI.

The Karnataka government following the apex court’s direction said that the green crackers should be sold at designated places outside residential areas between Nov 1 & Nov 10 and a six-meter distance between shops is a must.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a series of directions to ensure strict implementation of its earlier order banning the use of Barium-based chemicals in firecrackers and allowing only the use of green crackers, according to LiveLaw.

According to a report, earlier a KSPCB environment officer gave an insight into how to find out green crackers: "Green crackers can be identified through the distinct green logo of CSIR-NEERI and PESO as well as a QR coding system. The consumers can identify the green crackers by scanning the QR code on NEERI mobile application. However, crackers are anyway harmful during the Covid-19 times."

Last year, BS Yediyurappa’s came under pressure from pro-Hindutva outfits after issuing a blanket ban on bursting the crackers. After attacks from pro-Hindu groups, former CM allowed green crackers.