Bengal firecrackers ban: SC to hear matter at 3pm
New Delhi, Nov 1: The Supreme Court on Monday asked petitioners to intimate the state of West Bengal and concerned pollution control board to appear before it at 3pm in connection with an appeal filed by the firecracker manufacturers association following a blanket ban by the Calcutta High Court.
A two-judge Vacation Bench, led by Justice AM Khanwilkar and comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi heard the appeal filed before it by Goutom Roy, the chairman of an association of firecracker manufacturers called “Sara Bangla Atasbazi Unnayan Samity”, and others against the high court order banning firecrackers in the state.
The petitioners on Monday informed the bench that an advance copy has been served to all the stakeholders, but the apex court said it also wanted to know the stand of the Mamata Banerjee government and the concerned pollution control board.
The court then adjourned the matter for 3 pm, when it will again hear the case.
An October 29 order of the Calcutta High Court imposed a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers, including green crackers.
The appeal was filed before the Supreme Court on Sunday by Goutom Roy, the Chairman of an association of firecracker manufacturers called “Sara Bangla Atasbazi Unnayan Samity”, against the Calcutta High Court order banning firecrackers in the state of West Bengal, seeking appropriate directions and or orders in the firecrackers issue.
The high court has banned the use of firecrackers during the upcoming festivities of Kali Puja, Diwali, Chhath Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Guru Nanak’s Birthday, Christmas Eve and on the New Year’s eve.
A two-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, headed by Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and also comprising Justice Aniruddha Roy in their order also directed the police to maintain strict vigil and ensure that no sale, purchase or use of firecrackers take place during the festivities.