Use of fireworks: HC asks Punjab, Haryana, UT to ensure compliance with SC guidelines

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the two states and Chandigarh to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court’s directions regarding the use, sale and purchase of firecrackers during these festive seasons.

The directions were passed by the bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sunaina, who had argued that the air quality index of the two states and the UT is deteriorating day by day.

“If everyone strictly adheres to the directions of the courts, it will minimize pollution of the environment and also help us in quality of life,” she had argued.

The apex court had allowed the use of firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali. On other occasions it stated that fireworks could be used between 11.45pm and 12.45am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. These guidelines were adopted by the Supreme Court in 2017. It had also issued a slew of other guidelines regarding regulating the issuance of licenses for sale only at designated locations and allowing a fixed number of licenses. A detailed decision on Tuesday’s proceedings is awaited.