SUPREME COURT SETS NORMS ON FIRE CRACKERS

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The Supreme Court has prohibited the manufacture sale or use of fire crackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB (AI) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 mts. distance from the point of bursting. For individual fire cracker constituting the series (joined fire crackers), the limit will be reduced by 5 log 10 (N) dB, where N = No. of crackers joined together. The apex court has also directed the Government not to permit use of fire works or fire crackers between 10 PM and 6 AM. Fire crackers shall not be used at any time in silence zones such as areas not less than 100 mts. around hospitals, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other area which is declared as Silence Zone by the competent authority. It has also asked all schools in the country to educate students about the ill effects of air and noise pollution.

The Supreme Court has directed All India Radio, Doordarshan, all other television channels and FM Stations to give publicity to its directions.