Bhubaneswar: In compliance with the Supreme Court order, the State Government has allowed sale and use of green crackers during Diwali this year.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena has issued an order allowing sale and use of the green crackers. The green crackers that conform to the definition and formulation as proposed by CSIR-NEERI have been allowed. The approved crackers can be used between 8 PM and 10 PM, on the Diwali day (November 4).
Sale and use of other fireworks shall be completely banned. Sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) has also been banned.
Only those traders/dealers who obtain and produce a certificate from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) have been allowed to sell their products.
Only those retailers who obtain a license from the concerned authorities under the provisions of the Indian Explosive Act, 1884 are allowed to sell green fireworks.
An authenticated copy of the PESO certificate granted after due inspection of existing stocks lying in possession of the traders/dealers will be deposited with the District Administration/Police Commissioner for getting permission to sell the green fireworks.
Traders/dealers who fail to obtain and produce the certificate from PESO will not be allowed to sell their products, keeping the “precautionary principle” in mind. Mere labeling of fireworks boxes as “green fireworks” and providing QR codes will not entitle any trader/dealer to sell the same, as per the SRC order.
Only those retailers who obtain a license from the concerned authorities under the provisions of the Indian Explosive Act, 1884 shall be allowed to sell green fireworks.
Retailers shall be allowed to set up shops and sell green fireworks only in special zones designated by the respective District Administrations/Police Commissionerate.
Green fireworks shall only be sold at designated sites and all COVID-19 protocols shall be strictly followed. Sale of Fireworks on the internet shall be strictly banned.
Wholesale traders and retailers will have to produce original invoices on demand by the District Administration/Police Commissionerate.
Violation of any of the aforesaid conditions shall be dealt with strictly and penal action shall be taken in accordance with law.
The District Administration/Police Commissionerate is directed to ensure strict compliance with the above conditions.
“The District Administration/Police Commissionerate shall ensure full & complete compliance of the orders above through proper verification of the documents as mentioned supra and proper enforcement so as to ensure no spurious/unauthorized/banned fire crackers are sold anywhere within their jurisdiction,” the SRC said.
Further, the local officers will be personally liable for violations of the orders of Apex Court, National Green Tribunal and High Court of Odisha.
Earlier, the State Government had completely banned use and sale of firecrackers in the state. Challenging it, the All Odisha Fireworks Dealers Association had moved to the Orissa High Court, which had asked the SRC to take a decision on the plea of the association and inform the court Monday.
Accordingly, the SRC has submitted its decision on allowing the green crackers before the Orissa High Court today and the court also agreed for the same.