Welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision permitting the sale and bursting of green firecrackers, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said the ruling honours the sentiments of people celebrating Deepavali while maintaining a balance between tradition and environmental protection.
Ms. Gupta described the verdict as a “historic step towards harmonising cultural heritage and ecological responsibility”. She said it was the first time in years that Delhi residents would be able to celebrate Deepavali with officially permitted fireworks. “The decision reflects a deep understanding of the nation’s cultural sensitivities and public sentiments while ensuring environmental safety,” Ms. Gupta said.
The Delhi government had specifically appealed to the Supreme Court to permit green crackers, so that Deepavali traditions could be respected without compromising on clean air, the Chief Miister said, expressing gratitude to the apex court on behalf of Delhi residents. “This judgment not only honours public sentiment but also sends a powerful message of environmental responsibility,” she added.
Soon after the verdict, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa convened meetings with enforcement agencies and certified retailers to operationalise the court’s directions. He said retailers were instructed to sell only National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)-approved green crackers with QR codes between October 18 and 20 at sites designated by District Magistrates and Police Commissioners.
