Certain fire-crackers that are within decibel level permitted in Cachar

Pollution Control Board, Assam, Silchar has allowed certain crackers that are within prescribed decibel limits during the upcoming Diwali celebration.

Officials of PCB collected firecrackers from the local markets and after an investigation found some firecrackers like stars, rasi, 28 (Athaish) crackers, rocket, snake carton, ground chakkar, sky show (all sizes), rang mahal, stars (all sizes), kit kat (small sizes), colour matches, stars, twinkling torch, paper bomb, colour kati, tarabatti, flower posts, etc within the prescribed noise level.

Issuing a letter to the Additional District Magistrate, Magistracy and Administration Branch, Cachar, the Regional Executive Engineer, RLO, Silchar on Monday stated that these firecrackers will be allowed for temporary selling and storage in the markets before and during celebrations of Diwali festival in the district subject to the compliance of terms and conditions as laid down under the Explosives,2008, Noise Standards as notified by MoEF, Government of India under the Environment Protection 3rd Amendment Rules 2006 and under the Environment Protection Act 1986 maintaining strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols.

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court passed a judgment way back on July 18, 2015, ordering a complete ban on sound-emitting firecrackers from 10 pm to 6 am. The apex court further stated that the manufacture and sale or use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125dB(A1) or 145(C)pk at 4 meters distance from the points of bursting shall be prohibited.