The administration in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district on Saturday fixed two hours for bursting firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali, Chhath, Guruparva, Christmas and New Year.
Bemetara Collector Jitendra Shukla said the duration for bursting firecrackers on Diwali and Guruparva is from 8 to 10 pm, on Chhath Puja from 6 to 8 am and on New Year and Christmas from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am, an official communication said.
As per a directive of the Supreme Court, only improvised and green firecrackers which produce less pollution can be sold by licensed traders. The firecrackers' sound level must be within a prescribed range.
The sale, use and manufacture of series crackers is prohibited and directives have been given to cancel licenses of manufacturers of firecrackers which use lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury, it added.
Besides, sale of firec rackers from online platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon will be banned, the order said.