Supreme Court bans all firecrackers, including green crackers in Delhi-NCR

A bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice A S Bopanna, in its order on Friday rejected the application filed by the Firecracker Association to include barium with improved formulations in green crackers.

Keeping in view the level of pollution and the increasing number of patients with asthma and others during Diwali, today's order seems to be a significant one.

"We can only say Happy Diwali," Justice Bopanna said in the order.

The Apex Court reiterated on Friday that its earlier orders banning the use of barium-based chemicals in fire crackers will prevail in Delhi-NCR.

The Top Court refused to interfere with the Delhi government's decision to ban the use of firecrackers in Delhi ahead of Diwali festival.

During the course of the hearing before the Top Court, the centre supported the bursting of green crackers. The Apex Court had also questioned the Delhi police's failure to implement the total ban.

The Firecracker Association had moved the Supreme Court, seeking appropriate directions and orders to include barium with improved formulations in green crackers. The Apex Court rejected their pleas today.

It also made it clear that in those states, the firecrackers were not fully banned; people there can use green crackers, as per rules laid down by courts.

The Apex Court also said it could not allow the manufacture and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.

(With UNI inputs)