The East Khasi Hills District Magistrate has under Section 144 CrPC prohibit the sale, purchase and procurement of foreign-made firecrackers, use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) which cause huge air, noise and solid waste problems during Diwali.
The District Magistrate has also directed that the bursting of firecrackers is permitted only from 8 pm to 10 pm.
As per the order, use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB (A1) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting 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 is prohibited.
Further, the District Magistrate informed that the Government has also directed that the sale and usage of foreign-made firecrackers are strictly prohibited. The order said that the sale of fire crackers shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these licensed traders sell only those firecrackers which have been permitted by the office of the District Magistrate and are in compliance to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.
