GUWAHATI, Nov 10 - Confusion prevailed in the State on Tuesday over the restriction imposed on sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali and other ensuing festivals.
While the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) issued a notification on Tuesday afternoon banning the use and sale of firecrackers in Guwahati and allowing only green crackers in other places, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in the evening the State government has not planned any restriction.
The PCBA issued the order a day after the National Green Tribunal issued a set of guidelines for the sale and use of firecrackers in view of the pollution and COVID-19 situation.
In its order, the PCBA cited the NGT order which stated that �the bursting of firecrackers releases copious amount of harmful chemicals, which have severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups and such pollutants can further aggravate conditions of COVID-19 positive persons besides persons staying in home isolation.�
As per latest surveys, Guwahati has �poor� AQI (air quality index) resulting in air pollution.
The PCBA said there will be total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the Guwahati city from midnight of November, 9-10, 2020 to the midnight of November 30-December 1, 2020. The ban will be reviewed after that.
In other areas only green crackers can be sold and bursting is allowed only for two hours during Deepawali festivals from 8 pm to 10 pm; during Chhath Puja from 6 am to 8 am and during Christmas and New Year eve from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.
The PCBA also directed DCs and SPs of all the districts to send daily action taken reports.
However, confusion arose soon after Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter in the evening to announce that the State government plans no restriction during Diwali, including use of firecrackers.
�Like any other religion, Hindus have the right to celebrate festivals. With improvement in COVID-19 situation in Assam, we plan no restrictions on celebration of Diwali including use of firecrackers,� Sarma said in a tweet, adding, �However, kindly remember, self-restraint is key to combat COVID-19.�
The PCBA, however, insisted that its order has the consent of the State Chief Secretary.
