On Firecrackers Ban During Diwali, Assam CM Himanta Says PCB Issued Notice Without Govt Consultation

Taking to Twitter, the chief minister also mentioned that the government has taken note of this.

"Assam Pollution Control Board has, reportedly, suo motu, without any consultation with Govt, issued an order banning the 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," tweeted CM Sarma.

Earlier, Pollution Control Board imposed ban on the sale or use of all kinds of fire crackers in Guwahati city till the midnight of November 30. This was stated in a notification from the Pollution Control Board, Assam. Mentionably the ban came into force from the midnight of November 9. The notification added, "Except Guwahati, in other areas only green crackers can be sold; and bursting is allowed only for two hours during the Deepawali festivals from 8 pm to 10 pm; during the Chatt Puja from 6 am to 8 am and during Christmas and New year eve from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.

The District Magistrates (DMs), Commissioners and the Superintendents of Police (SPs) will implement the directions, the notification said, adding that the 'Daily Action Taken Reports' will have to be submitted to the Board. Moreover to stop the use of fire crackers at source, the PCBA officials will carry-out inspections and monitoring of the commercial stockists of fire crackers. In this regard, the Board has requested the DCs (Deputy Commissioners) to depute one officer of magistrate rank to accompany the Board's monitoring team.

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