Assam: PCB Reiterates Ban on Firecrackers To Remain

The Pollution Control Board (PCB) of Assam on Saturday reiterated its stance on the ban on firecrackers during Diwali. It said that the order banning sale and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali was to stay.

Confusion still remains on the implementation of the order as the police and district administration have said that it is difficult to trace places where they are being sold and burst and whether those conform to the green laws.

Notably, PCB had allowed bursting of green crackers in a two-hour window in its order on October 22. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had also issued a tweet in which he mentioned that the PCB had taken a 'suo-moto' decision on the ban and that it was taken without 'without any consultation' with the government. He assured that people's sentiment will be kept in mind.

However, PCB chairman, Arup Kumar Misra told TOI on Saturday that complete ban was to remain and the latest Supreme Court order also reiterated it. He said that the local authorities have been instructed to carry out the order adding that they had taken the decision even before the SC order.

Assam Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu also reaffirmed the PCB order. He said, "We will allow some specific places to burst green crackers and also give some designated place to sell the crackers. The police will be there to implement the directive".

Bursting crackers on Diwali every year shoots up air pollution levels, taking winter pollution levels to its peak.

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