Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a clarification in relation to the Kali Puja/Diwali protocols issued by the Assam Pollution Control Board on Monday, October 25. The protocols mentioned that only 2 hours will be given for the bursting of firecrackers, that is from 8 PM to 10 PM respectively.
Tweet by Himanta Biswa Sarma
Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Assam Pollution Control Board has, reportedly, suo motu, without any consultation with Govt, issued an order banning sale of firecrackers & other restrictions. We’ve taken note of this. The entire issue is being reviewed afresh, holistically, keeping people’s sentiments in mind.”
Assam CM tweeted it on the 25th of October and the tweet has garnered more than 7000 likes and more than 1800 retweets.
Restrictions imposed by Assam PCB
1. A complete ban has been imposed on the bursting and sale of all kinds of firecrackers except green crackers in the State of Assam till further order in this respect.
2. In the State of Assam, only green crackers can be sold and bursting is allowed only for two hours during Deepavali festivals from 8 PM to 10 PM during Chhath Puja from 6 AM to 8 AM, and during Christmas & New Year Eve from 11.55 PM to 12.30 AM.
3. Other than the above-specified festivals, prior permission of the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the Districts will be required to use only green crackers for a limited period (not more than two hours) in the State of Assam.
Reason behind the notification
Due to the severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups, the government, in recent times, has put ‘considerable’ restrictions on the bursting of crackers. The pollutants from the crackers can aggravate the health conditions of COVID-19 positive patients who are in home isolation.
