With the coming of Diwali, the West Jaiñtia Hills District Magistrate has promulgated a ban on the sale, purchase and procurement of foreign-made firecrackers.
In an order issued under Section 163 BNNS, the district magistrate said the prohibition is necessitated to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all citizens.
The sale of firecrackers shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these traders sell only those firecrackers which have been permitted and are in compliance with Central Pollution Board guidelines, the order said.
Firecrackers with a noise level above 125 decibels and 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 are prohibited.
The order also said that bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in the district is permitted from 8 pm to 10 pm.
