Guidelines for 2021 Diwali celebrations in Karnataka

The Karnataka government October 30 issued new guidelines for the 2021 Diwali celebrations. The state government said only sellers who have obtained permission will be allowed to sell green crackers at certain designated areas for a limited period of time, starting November 1.

The state government has released guidelines for the celebration of the Diwali festival as well as Kannada Rajyotsava.

During Diwali, permission for use of only green firecrackers, while for Rajyotsava celebration a maximum of 500 people is allowed.

Only sellers having permission can sell green crackers at designated places outside residential areas between November 1 and November 10. During this time, a minimum of six-meter distance must be maintained between the shops.

Organizations have to obtain permission from the district or taluk authorities concerned to celebrate Rajyotsava.

Cultural programmes should be minimum during Rajyotsava celebration.

The Karnataka government guidelines come a day after the Supreme Court clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on the sale and use of firecrackers and that only crackers containing Barium salts, chemical crackers and those found to be injurious to health have been banned this year.

The Police, fire department, Health & Family welfare department, District administration, and corporations should ensure that guidelines must be followed.

Green crackers are developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) lab and product approval for the new formulation is given by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

Green crackers can be identified through the distinct green logo of CSIR-NEERI and PESO as well as a QR coding system. The consumers can identify the green crackers by scanning the QR code on NEERI mobile application.