Ensure Only Green Crackers Are Sold In Stalls: Karnataka High Court Directs Authorities

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty observed that "Clarification issued by the state government (for sale of green firecrackers and what are firecrackers) is so belatedly that members may not be aware about the concept of green crackers."

It directed the State government to give immediate wide publicity through news channels, social media etc to the order dated November 12 and warn members of public not buy and burst crackers having packing which does not have logo of "CSI_NEERI and PESO and QR code." Even BBMP is directed to ensure that visits are made by its officers with the police, to stalls set up for sale of crackers to ensure that officers of state and order of November 12 are strictly implemented.

It added that "It is the duty of the police and State Pollution control board to address the complaints received from citizens regarding violation of noise pollution rules. It is the obligation of the state government and pollution control board to ensure that zero tolerance is shown to those who violate the orders of the state government, as well as noise pollution rules."

The bench was informed by Advocate Vikram Huilgol appearing for the state government that police have 120 decibel meters to monitor noise pollution rules. To which the bench said "In such a huge state there are only 120 decibel meters and they were procured 20 years after the rules came into force."

The bench is hearing a petition filed by Dr CA A S Vishnu Bharath and Samarpana. The state government and other authorities have been told to file its compliance report before the court on the next date of hearing, November 23.

Following the direction passed by the Court yesterday to the State Government to clearly define what a 'green cracker' mean, a clarification order was issued today morning explaining its meaning.

In 2018, the Supreme Court had ordered that only 'green crackers' should be allowed to be sold in the country.