Diwali Celebration in East Khasi Hills District: Bursting of Crackers Permitted From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

SHILLONG: Diwali will be celebrated on the 4th November 2021 in the whole of East Khasi Hills District, the Government has also directed that the sale and usage of foreign-made firecrackers be strictly prohibited, Bursting of crackers within 100 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centers, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other areas which may have been

declared as silent zones by the concerned authorities. It is also directed that the bursting of firecrackers is permitted only from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the said day.

Further, Order No.C&S.3/2009/PTIII/141 states that - Whereas, Diwali will be celebrated on the 4th November 2021 in the whole of East Khasi Hills District,

And, whereas, during the course of the celebration of the festival, bursting of firecrackers in public places and public thoroughfares, if unregulated, will significantly affect the air quality and will produce a large volume of noise,

And whereas, bursting of crackers leads to increased air pollution which will have an adverse impact on health, and hence it is deemed necessary to ban certain categories of firecrackers and restrict the timing for usage of all others,

And whereas, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India vide order No.44727/2021 in WRIT PETITION(C) NO.728/2015 dated 29.10.2021 has noted that air pollution from all sources has to be contained, and hence there is a felt need to restrict the usage of firecrackers,

And whereas the Government has also directed that the sale and usage of foreign-made firecrackers are strictly prohibited, Now, therefore, I Miss Isawanda Laloo, IAS, District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in the exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 144 Cr,P.0 do hereby prohibit as under:-

1. The sale, purchase, and procurement of foreign-made firecrackers.

2. The use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) causes huge air, noise, and solid waste problems.

3. The use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB (Al) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting.

4. Bursting of crackers within 100 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centers, educational institutions, courts, religious places, or any other areas which may have been declared as silent zones by the concerned authorities.

It is also directed that the bursting of firecrackers is permitted only from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the said day. Further, the sale of firecrackers shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these licensed traders sell only those firecrackers which have been permitted by this office and are in compliance to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

In view of the urgency of the matter, this order has been passed exparte and it shall come into force with immediate effect and remain in force till the celebration of the Diwali Festival is over.