New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): The Supreme Court has taken note of a newspaper report highlighting the sale of various types of firecrackers in Delhi markets despite the restrictions in place and directed the Centre to ensure strict compliance with its orders.

A Bench headed by Justice M. M. Sundresh showed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati a photograph published in an English-language newspaper and observed that, despite the court's order issued a day earlier, all kinds of firecrackers appeared to be readily available in shops. The Bench asked her to look into the matter and ensure that the directions were followed.

On November 2, the Supreme Court conditionally relaxed the existing ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days during Diwali. The court permitted the use of certified green firecrackers on November 7 and 8, between 6 am and 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. Diwali will be celebrated on November 8 this year.

The court further directed that no firecrackers would be permitted within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and any notified silence zone, even during the permitted time slots.

The complete ban on firecrackers will come into force again from November 9.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar