Calcutta High Court allows green crackers

Two days after the Supreme Court set aside a blanket ban on fire crackers, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday allowed green crackers to be burst from 8 pm to 10 pm during Diwali and Kali puja.

A bench, comprising Justices Rajasekhar Mantha and Kesang Doma Bhutia, on Wednesday observed that the West Bengal Pollution Control Board has already specified the timings for the use of firecrackers on festival days.

The court also observed that the revellers will not be allowed inside the puja pandals during the coming Kali puja, Jagdhhatri puja and Kartick puja to maintain Covid-19 protocols and ensure physical distancing. Setting aside the verdict of the Calcutta High Court, the apex court had, on Monday, said that green crackers can be used during the Diwali and Kali puja celebrations.