Within hours of the Telangana government issuing orders banning sale and use of firecrackers in the state in the wake of the high court order, the Supreme Court on Friday issued interim orders lifting the ban.
Acting on a special leave petition filed by the manufacturers of firecrackers challenging the high court order, the Supreme Court issued interim orders modifying the high court directions.
The Supreme Court said the orders of the high court should be in tune with the judgement passed by National Green Tribunal on November 9, restricting the bursting of crackers to high-polluting areas and not entire the country.
The apex court served notices on the defendants including the state government to submit their objections and posted the case to November 16 for further hearing.
The NGT has only called for ban on firecrackers completely in the cities and towns where there is high degree of pollution. Similarly, ban can be imposed on bursting of crackers where the quality of air is poor.
In Telangana, the ban is applicable to Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Patancheru and Sangareddy. But in other areas where the quality of air is good, the government could allow green crackers, the NGT said.
In the morning, chief secretary Somesh Kumar issued orders imposing ban on the sale and use of fireworks by people and organisations with immediate effect.
The authorities have been directed to initiate immediate action and close the shops which are selling fireworks throughout the State and submit a compliance report by November 16.
The State government instructed the Director General of Police and the Director General of Fire Services along with all the District Collectors, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to implement the orders immediately.
Further, the authorities also urged people to refrain from bursting firecrackers.