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30% less polluting crackers deemed 'green' by govt body

PESO clarifies that definition draft still in conceptual stage

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Three months after the landmark Supreme Court verdict banned high-emission firecrackers and instead ordered production of reduced emission (improved crackers) and green crackers, the government body regulating the fireworks manufacturing sector — Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) — has just come out with its draft definition for the so-called "green crackers".

Meanwhile, as the green crackers still remain in the conceptual stage, over eight lakh workers of the fireworks production industries in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi remained jobless for the 100th day on Monday. Thousands of them also staged a protest, seeking a reversal of the SC order.

PESO, in its affidavit submitted to the apex court, has categorised green crackers into two categories — improved firecrackers and new formulation firecrackers. Both categories expect reduction in particulate matter (PM) emission by a minimum of 30 per cent or reduction of PM by 20 per cent and gaseous emission by 10 per cent when compared with the conventional composition.

The improved firecrackers, PESO explained, are made with reduced shell size, eliminated ash usage, reduced use of raw materials, uniform acceptable quality of raw material and use of additives as dust suppressants to reduce emissions with specific reference to PM, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. As far as new formulation firecrackers are concerned, it said it should have new and improved formulations to reduce emissions. Interestingly, the affidavit also states that CSIR-NEERI informed the second review meeting held by PESO on January 15 that development work for green crackers is still in progress and needs more time to establish final baseline standards.

Besides, it said that there is no complete substitution or replacement for the compound Barium Nitrate, which gives green colour light. The apex court, in its order dated October 23 last year, has banned use of Barium Nitrate — used in the manufacturing of 60 per cent of light-emitting crackers.

"We have already lost 20 per cent of our annual production. Our review petition will be taken up for hearing on March 1. On March 6, Justice AK Sikri will retire and a new Bench would be constituted. So we fear that we will get a verdict only close to Diwali. It means that there will be no production of firecrackers in Sivakasi at all," said Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association secretary K Mariappan.

Aaffidavit Riders

  • Development work for green crackers is still in progress and needs more time to establish final baseline standards 
  • Also, there is no complete substitution or replacement for Barium Nitrate that was banned by the top court
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