In line with the Supreme Court order allowing a two-hour window for bursting crackers on Deepavali day, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday fixed two slots — between 6 am and 7 am and between 7 pm and 8 pm.
“It is everyone’s duty to ensure a pollution-free environment,” stated an official release from the Tamil Nadu government.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) would monitor the air for pollution in all the municipal Corporations seven days before and seven days after Deepavali.
In its suggestions to the general public, the government said low decibel crackers that caused less pollution could be used.
Welfare associations “could try” to obtain prior permission from local bodies to gather and burst crackers in public places, it stated.
“Bursting of crackers should be avoided near hospitals, places of worship and areas that are maintained for silence,” it said. Crackers must also be avoided in easily inflammable areas and localities with huts.
Modifications
On October 29, the Tamil Nadu government asked the Supreme Court to modify its October 23 order restricting the bursting of firecrackers to a two-hour period between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. during festivals, including Diwali.
For one, the State of Tamil Nadu said the festival of Diwali is celebrated in the morning. Hence, the Supreme Court should allow bursting of crackers from 4.30 a.m. till 6.30 a.m. in Tamil Nadu.
“India being a Federal State is with different traditions and cultures. As far as celebrations relating to Diwali are concerned, each State or Sect has a separate set of beliefs, traditions and culture,” the application filed by the State, through advocate B. Vinodh Kanna argued.
It said that “in Northern India, Diwali is celebrated in the night to celebrate the homecoming of Rama after slaying Ravana, Diwali is therefore on the night of November 7, 2018. In the State of Tamil Nadu, Diwali, pronounced as ‘Deepavali’, is celebrated commemorating the death of Narakashura, the Evil, slain by the Goddess in the early hours of dawn”.
Source: The Hindu
