Haryana revokes complete ban on firecrackers on Diwali, allows it for two hours

New Delhi: People in Haryana will be allowed to sell and burst crackers for two hours on the occasion of Diwali, said the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday. The relaxation comes after the state on Friday banned the sale and bursting of cracking. The CM said that after these relaxations traders can now sell the crackers for two hours on Diwali.

“Corona cases are rising along with pollution, so we have to take tough decisions regarding crackers. Yet, we are giving relaxation of two hours for those who want to sell crackers and burst them. Traders can sell crackers during these two hours,” he said.

Corona cases are rising along with pollution, so we have to take tough decisions regarding crackers. Yet, we are giving relaxation of 2 hours for those who want to sell crackers & burst them. Traders can sell crackers during these 2 hours: Haryana CM ML Khattar on cracker ban pic.twitter.com/zlyUFNZCUV

— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2020

Khattar said decisions are in compliance with the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) amid an increase in air pollution.

“In Haryana, people will be allowed to sell and burst crackers for two hours on Deepawali. These decisions have been taken in compliance with the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the wake of increasing air pollution,” he tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).

“It has been seen that due to pollution, there has been an increase in corona infected patients in the past. This decision has been taken in view of reducing pollution and preventing the spread of corona infection,” he added.