The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its decision on allowing the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the upcoming Diwali festival..Solicitor General Tushar Mehta today urged the Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran to lift the ban on fireworks."There is nothing on record to show that it [poor air quality] is because of the firecrackers. I urge that there is no restriction for firecrackers. If there is a two hour timing...One hour goes in persuading parents only! We all were children! The child inside me is persuading the child in your lordships," the SG told the Court.The Court hinted that it might accede to the request."2 hours is enough...we will see...For the time being we will allow it for two days..." CJI Gavai observed during the hearing..Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, representing the manufactures, submitted that firecrackers were banned in half of Haryana without an opportunity of hearing."We are saying we will only distribute it to wholesalers from designated 25 to 30 points. And then the check becomes more effective...our children are also staying here...if it goes bad...next year also ban can be there," he said.On similar lines, Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak said,"An already regulated industry was regulated further. Everyone was painted with a broad brush. Manufacturers had themselves said identify the offenders among us and punish them.".Due to the persistent problem of poor air quality in Delhi, the Court had earlier banned the use of firecrackers in Delhi. On green crackers, the Court in April this year had said that unless it is satisfied that the pollution caused by them is minimal, there is no question of reconsidering the earlier orders.However, the Court last month allowed the manufacture of green firecrackers but continued the restriction on their sale in prohibited areas. Significantly, the governments of Delhi and neighbouring states, as well as the manufactures, have now moved the Court seeking directions to permit the use of green crackers in Delhi and other areas on Diwali. They have also made suggestions for similar relaxations on Christmas, Gurpurab and New Year’s Eve..[Live Coverage]
