Diwali, Crackers and Pollution!

Whether the crackers cause pollution or not, and if they do, then what is the extent of it – is the crux of the case against crackers and the most contentious issue in public debates. Almost, Every year, pollution boards, NGT, and judiciary have taken extreme steps against Diwali on the pretext that fireworks cause maximum pollution on the day of the festival and allegedly cause health problems. Several so-called celebrities and intellectuals have asked their followers not to burst fireworks. Interestingly, one of the studies that was conducted by IIT refusing to blame fireworks for pollution in Delhi was categorically refused by the Supreme Court even though the study was conducted by the experts. Meanwhile , Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that the Assam Pollution Control Board has issued a blanket ban on crackers in the state without consulting the state government. “Assam Pollution Control Board has, reportedly, suo motu, without any consultation with Govt, issued an order banning sale of firecrackers & other restrictions”, tweeted the Chief Minister.Sarma added that the the entire issue is being reviewed afresh, holistically, keeping people’s sentiments in mind. This comes after the Assam Pollution Control Board has imposed a blanket ban on the bursting and selling of firecrackers in the state.As per the notification, the board has allowed the selling and bursting of green crackers only for two hours, from 8 pm to 10 pm during Diwali, from 6 am to 8 am during Chhath Puja and on Christmas and on New Year’s Eve from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.