From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Dec 21: To ensure the safety, health and well-being of people during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, the West Jaintia Hills District Magistrate has issued an order, prohibiting the sale, purchase and use of foreign-made firecrackers.
According to the order, only licensed traders are allowed to sell firecrackers, and the same will have to comply with the guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Firecrackers producing noise levels exceeding 125 dB (AI) or 145 dB(C) pk at a distance of four metres from the point of bursting are strictly prohibited. Additionally, the use of joined firecrackers, such as series crackers or ‘Laris’, which contribute to significant air, noise and solid waste pollution, is also banned.
The order further restricts the bursting of firecrackers within 100 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district healthcare centres, educational institutions, courts, religious places, or other designated silent zones.
However, the use of firecrackers is permitted during a specific time window, which is from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.
According to the order, these restrictions come into immediate effect and will remain in force until the celebrations conclude.