Jharkhand Pollution Control Board on Thursday issued directives regarding air and noise pollution during festivals in the state including Diwali, Chhath, Christmas and New Year. A notification has been issued and SOP has been released in this regard and people have been asked to follow it.
As per the notification ‘firecrackers’ will be allowed only for two hours from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali.
However, in Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Palamu, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawa, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Godda, Pakur and Sahibganj only ‘green firecrackers’ are allowed keeping in mind the air quality last year which was reported moderately polluted at 101-200 AQI.
In Chatra, Garhwa, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega, Khunti, Koderma, Jamtara and Dumka where air quality was reported as Good or Satisfactory, firecrackers with a sound range of 125 decibels are only allowed.
Those found violating the norms will be punished under IPC 188 and Section 37 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and other relevant Acts by the district commissioner.
