SC Calls For Senior Officers From CPCB & Sivakasi For Assistance On Environmental Impact Of Bursting Crackers [Read Order]

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, directed the presence of senior officers from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Fireworks Research and Development Centre at Sivakasi to assist the Court on the environmental implications of bursting crackers.

“We wish to make it clear that the officers may bring along with them any other person who can assist them in answering the questions that may be put by this Court after hearing learned counsel,” the Bench comprising Justice M.B. Lokur, Justice P.C. Pant and Justice Deepak Gupta observed.

The order was rendered after the Court observed a lack of clarity on the environmental impact of the bursting of fire crackers and the authority to test the samples.

The Bench noted that, prima facie, there appeared to be no standards laid down by the CPCB with regard to air pollution caused by bursting of fire crackers. It further noticed a lack of understanding on the capability of the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) in determination of the extent of air pollution that could be caused by bursting of fire crackers.

Besides, the Court was also informed by the Counsel for the State of NCT of Delhi that a “vigorous campaign” is to be launched in the schools in the State, within a period of three weeks, in order to inform the children about the “hazardous and ill-effects of the indiscriminate bursting of fire crackers”.

The matter has now been listed on 31 July.