High Court Upholds Odisha Govt’s Ban On Crackers

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday upheld a state government order banning the sale and use of fire-crackers aimed at protecting public health and checking the spread of COVID-19.

The High Court order was issued in response to a petition filed by an unregistered association of cracker dealers who had sought quashing of the government order ahead of Diwali.

The court rejected the petition filed by the All Odisha Fire Works Dealers Association saying that the association was not a registered body. The court, however, allowed filing of a fresh plea.

The state government on September 30 prohibited the sale and use of fireworks in the state while announcing its COVID-19 guidelines for October. The order will virtually prevent the use of crackers on Diwali which falls on November 4.

“With a view to protecting the health of the general public and to curb the spread of infection, sale and use of fire-crackers shall remain prohibited during this festive month,” the government said in its guidelines.