New Delhi: Six months after it reaffirmed the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court Wednesday permitted limited sale and bursting of green firecrackers during Diwali, acknowledging that it was an expression of festive spirit but should not lead to damage to health and environment.

The order, which comes five days before the festival, was pronounced on a batch of applications filed by manufacturers of firecrackers who complained that the absolute ban, instituted in view of air pollution, had impacted the industry severely, affecting livelihoods.

Though the Centre had supported these applications and suggested limited use of crackers during Diwali, Christmas, Gurpurab and New Year’s Eve, the top court’s order does not touch upon the

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