A day after the government informed the court that it is not in favour of a complete ban on firecrackers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to put a blanket ban on firecrackers during the festival seasons.

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Though the court has refused to put a ban, it has directed the Centre to publish pollution awareness advertisements from October 31 to November 12.

Filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court in response to a joint plea filed by three city-based infants for ban on the use of crackers during this Dussehra and Diwali, the Ministry of Environment and Forest had on Tuesday said the Central government has issued the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 which regulate noise levels in different zones.

It also said that the rules permit different noise levels during day and night time in different zones.

In September this year, three infants, through their fathers, had moved the Supreme Court against the use of loud firecrackers during Diwali and Dussehra. This was perhaps the first time in the history of the apex court that such young petitioners (between the age of six and 14 months) have approached it on any issue.

In their joint plea, these petitioners, children of the three practising lawyers had highlighted the "alarming" rate of deterioration of the air quality in Delhi due to pollution caused by, but not limited to, traffic congestion, dust from widespread construction, industrial pollution and the seasonal use of firecrackers.

The plea said that the widespread use of firecrackers in the national capital during the festive season exposes vulnerable infants to severe diseases such as asthma and worsens their lung condition.

The plea said the right of their kids to breathe clean air is essential for a conducive environment for growth and development and blamed the authorities for not laying down any guidelines regarding sale of crackers.