DIwali is a festival of lights, However, recently many activists and organizations have started promoting the idea of a cracker free festival, amid the increasing levels of pollution that are proving to be extremely harmful for the citizens.

The Pollution levels in Delhi, in a survey of 2016, were recorded to being 15 times the safe limit, which was not just harmful but could also prove to be lethal for a lot of people in the city.

On July 31, 2017, The Supreme Court, taking due notice of these facts, banned the use of 5 toxic chemicals in the manufacturing of Firecrackers. This order was issued after the Central Pollution Control Board had submitted that the standards of air pollution caused by the bursting of firecrackers are yet to be issued.

The Bench, in its order, stated that, “No firecrackers manufactured by the respondents shall contain antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead in any form whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) to ensure compliance particularly in Sivakasi.”

It further directed the authorities by stating that “It is the responsibility of the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) to ensure compliance particularly in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. There seems to be some doubt about strontium and its compound. We would like to hear submissions in this regard,”

The Hon’ble Court gave the Board, an extended deadline of September 15, 2017, to provide detailed information on the environmental impact, especially air pollution, caused by firecrackers.

While the Private Manufacturers tried to reason with the Court, it was adamant in its decision.