Odisha Govt Allows Only Green Firecrackers For Sale & Use, Bans Other Firecrackers

Mumbai: Odisha government has allowed only green firecrackers for sale and use, and imposed a complete ban on other firecrackers ahead of Diwali. Traders can sell green firecrackers only after obtaining a certificate from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.

The guidelines issued by the Special Relief Commissioner on the sale and use of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali, Chhat Puja and Kartik Purnima read: “Sale and use of fireworks shall be limited to only ‘green fireworks’ that conform to the definition and formulation as proposed by CSIR-NEERI (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — National Environmental Engineering Research Institute)”

“Sale and use of other fireworks shall be completely banned. Sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or /aris) shall also remain banned,” it added.

As per the guidelines, only those dealers/dealers who obtain and present the certificate from PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization) after due inspection of their existing stock certify that they have stock of green fireworks. Conforms to the definition and construction. Offered by CSIR-NEERI and are genuine, they will be allowed to sell their products.

For permission to sell green crackers, traders will have to submit a certified copy of the PESO certificate to the district administration or the police commissioner. The Odisha government also mentioned that green fireworks should be sold only on specified sites permitted by the relevant authority, and banned their sale on the Internet.

The state government has also advised people to avoid mass gatherings and to perform rituals at home. Adherence to COVID-19 protocols during festivals and during the sale of crackers has also been advised.

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