Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said that the Delhi government has directed all district magistrates and the Police to ensure that only "green" firecrackers are manufactured, stored and sold in the national capital through licensed traders. People can burst firecrackers between 8:00 pm and 10 pm only on festivals like Diwali and Gurpurab, Minister said.

An order issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said that, on Christmas and New Year's eve, People can burst firecrackers between 11:55 pm and 12:30 am only. "Only licensed traders can sell firecrackers compliant with PESO prescribed standards. No e-commerce websites can accept any online orders. Moreover, the Delhi government has asked all district magistrates and deputy commissioners of police to comply with the directions and submit a daily action taken report to the DPCC.

In 2018, the Supreme Court had banned the use of polluting firecrackers and allowed the sale of “green” firecrackers in a bid to control air pollution. 'Green crackers' are not as polluting as the conventional types of firecrackers and they contain at least 30% less particulate matter such as Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide. The minister had earlier said that the government will launch an anti-cracker campaign from November 3. Under it, eleven special squads of the DPCC and city police will inspect firecracker manufacturing units to make certain that there is no old stock left.

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