Ahmedabad: The bursting of firecrackers on the festival of Diwali will be allowed for only two hours, the state government has said in a notification.
The state government has allowed bursting of firecrackers on Diwali from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For Christmas and New Year, the bursting of firecrackers has been allowed only from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am, the notification dated October 29 stated.
The notification said the Supreme Court has allowed the production and sale of only green firecrackers and other low-emission firecrackers, while banning all other types of firecrackers. It said the apex court has also banned joint firecrackers, series crackers, or laris, and directed district magistrates and police commissioners to take appropriate action during the festivals.
The home department asked the authorities to issue prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and directed the authorities to take action under the Explosives Act and Gujarat Police Act against vendors, stalls, sheds, etc. found selling firecrackers without the temporary licenses for possession and sale of firecrackers.
Citing a letter of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the home department directed that necessary legal action be taken against elements involved in illegal import and sale of foreign origin fireworks.