Supreme Court allows green cracker in Telangana for 2 hours

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Saturday allowed sale and use of green crackers for up to 2 hours in Telangana, where the state government had imposed a complete ban on crackers following an order from the state High Court ahead of Diwali.

The judgement was given by a two-judge bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Sajiv Khanna in an urgent hearing, conducted through video conferencing, on a plea filed by the Telangana Fire Workers Dealers Association stating losses.

Allowing firecrackers for two hours, the Supreme Court told Telangana government that they can impose ban as per guidelines issued by National Green Tribunal.

"In the meanwhile, the impugned judgment stands modified and be in line with NGT's order of November 9 which applies even to the State of Telangana. The state must comply with the directions in letter and spirit. We are conscious of the fact that the respondents are not served, but in view of the peculiar situation and urgency involved, the High Court orders stands modified," the bench said.

Last week, the National Green Tribunal had imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi, neighbouring areas and all cities across the country where the average air quality is "poor" or worse. The green court had allowed sale and use of less polluting "green crackers" for two hours in areas where air pollution was "moderate" or below.