GUWAHATI: The ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers except the green ones during Diwali, which was imposed by the state's Pollution Control Board (PCB) by an order on October 22, has been put on hold as it is being reviewed by the state government afresh "keeping people's sentiments in mind".
PCB chairman Arup Kumar Misra said, "The order is being reviewed by the government. We are waiting for the government's response. There could be a few relaxations in the order." Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday night intervened on the ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers, except the green ones, saying the "PCB issued the order without consultation with the government".
"They should not have done this. Covid-19 pandemic has already hit the people hard. There should not be any objection if small businessmen get an opportunity to revive their business or earn something during the festival if certain relaxation is given," he said.
He said the entire issue is being reviewed keeping people's sentiments in mind.
The PCB had on October 22 issued a notification imposing a complete ban on bursting and sale of all kinds of firecrackers, except green ones, until further orders.
It had said green crackers can be burst only for two hours during Diwali from 8 pm to 10 pm and from 6 am to 8 am during Chhath Puja.
For Christmas and New Year Eve, the timing was fixed from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am, as per the notification.
For other festivals, permission had to be taken from the deputy commissioner concerned for use of only green crackers for not more than two hours, it added.
The PCB, Assam, had issued the order in compliance with a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive of 2020 and also taking into account the pollution caused by firecrackers which has an impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups of people and can further aggravate health conditions of Covid-19 patients, the notification had said.
