Karnataka Government Defines 'Green Crackers', Following High Court Direction

The modified order was issued on Thursday evening following a direction by the Karnataka High Court.The order reads that "Green Firecrackers are available as sparklers, flowerpots, Maroons, etc."

The government order says that as per the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, "Green Crackers don't contain harmful chemicals thereby reducing air pollution due to firecrackers considerably. These crackers are less harmful in comparison to conventional firecrackers."

Green crackers are manufactured as per the formulation developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute Lab and product approval for the new formulation is given by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation which is under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministries of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. QR Code is a novel feature incorporated on the firecrackers to avoid manufacture and sale of counterfeit products.

The court had on Thursday, while hearing a petition filed by Dr CA A S Vishnu Bharath challenging the state government order dated November 6 and November 10 allowing use of only green firecrackers during Deepavali between 8 pm to 10 pm, had observed "Prima facie appears to us that order is ineffective as the state has not bothered to lay down what is the meaning of green crackers."

Noting that the drastic consequences of bursting crackers on the environment and human health are well known, which are highlighted in various orders of the apex court, the bench said "State ought to have taken stringent steps as there is possibility that Air Pollution created by bursting of firecrackers, may create a situation which may lead to spread of Covid-19."

The matter will be heard today.

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

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