New Delhi, December 31: Firecrackers form one of the most crucial aspect of New Year celebrations. The Supreme Court, in its recent landmark order on Diwali celebrations, had also laid down the rules for bursting crackers on Christmas and New Year's eve. As per the judicial ruling, the firecrackers are allowed for a 1-hour limit: 11:45 am to 12:45 am.

The court order was aimed at curbing the menace of air pollution. While the petition had sought restraint on mass-scale cracker bursting on the occasion of Diwali, the bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan struck a balance by restricting the time-frame of cracker bursting on Diwali and Christmas to an hour each. Burst Crackers For 2 Hours on Dipavali, 1 Hour on New Year, Says Supreme Court.

The bench had also asked the Centre to encourage community cracker bursting during Diwali and other festivals in Delhi-NCR and directed all states to explore feasibility of community cracker bursting during festivals.

It also said that Station House Officers of police stations concerned will be held liable if banned firecrackers are sold in their area.

The top court had, during the course of hearing, said there is a need to take into account all aspects, including the fundamental right of livelihood of firecracker manufacturers and the right to health of over 1.3 billion people in the country, while considering a plea for the ban.

The apex court had said the Article 21 (right to life) of Constitution applies to both segments of people and it needs to maintain a balance while considering a countrywide ban on firecrackers.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2018 08:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).