Supreme Court Considers Relaxing Green Cracker Ban, Balancing Pollution and Livelihoods
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea seeking relaxation of its order banning the sale of green crackers across the country. The court highlighted the need to balance pollution control with the livelihoods of lakhs of workers employed in the firecracker industry.
Hearing an application filed by a cracker manufacturers' association, a bench observed that competing interests must be reconciled. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that the entire country cannot be viewed through the lens of Delhi, which faces a unique pollution crisis. The court acknowledged this perspective and directed all parties to propose a solution that addresses both environmental concerns and economic impacts.
The original ban on green crackers was imposed to curb air pollution, particularly during festivals like Diwali. However, manufacturers have argued that the ban is too broad and fails to account for regional variations in pollution levels. The court's decision to review the plea signals a potential shift in policy, aiming for a more nuanced approach.
The next hearing is scheduled for two weeks, during which the court expects a comprehensive plan from the government and stakeholders.
