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NEW DELHI: The Centre has opposed a nationwide ban on firecrackers and told the Supreme Court that a regulatory mechanism should be put in place to restrain manufacturers from using polluting raw materials to curb pollution .

In an affidavit filed by the ministry for environment and forests, the government said production of ‘series’ crackers or 'laris' could be banned and the state government could designate places for bursting of firecrackers.

Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni told a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan on Tuesday that the government took the stand after holding consultations with expert bodies like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Environment Engineering Research Institute, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and Central Pollution Control Board.

The apex court is hearing a plea seeking ban on manufacturing and sale of firecrackers. It had last year banned sale of firecrackers in NCR during Diwali in order to check air pollution.

The Centre said use of ash as desiccant or filler materials in crackers should be avoided for reduction in particulate matter by 15 to 20 per cent. It said PESO would ensure that only those crackers whose decibel levels are within the limits are allowed in the market and will suspend the licence of manufacturers for violations.

It recommended setting up of raw material characterisation facilities to check the presence of high contents of unburned material, partially combusted material or poor quality raw material in firecrackers. It also favoured setting standards for manufacturing “reduced emission firecrackers or improved firecrackers”.

It said such firecrackers have low emission with PM (particulate matter) reduction by 30-35% and significant reduction in nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide due to in situ water generation.

It told the apex court that PESO could be entrusted the task of ensuring that fireworks with permitted chemicals and decibel levels are used. PESO should be permitted to conduct tests to keep a check on manufacturers for using banned materials like lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury.

“CPCB and respective state pollution control boards shall carry out short-term monitoring in their cities for 14 days (commencing from seven days prior to Diwali and ending seven days after Diwali) for parameters ... against short term ambient air quality proposed by CPCB with regard to bursting of firecrackers,” the affidavit said.

