This Diwali, only green crackers that generate no more than 125 decibel of sound — measured 4 metre from the point of blast — can be used between 8pm and 10pm, according to a court order.
Senior police officers said all police personnel will be asked to download scanners on their smartphones so they could carry out random checks on roads and scan QR codes on fireworks boxes.
“Any violation of the court order, which states that only green crackers can be used, could lead to arrest and imposition of a fine,” said a joint commissioner of police at Lalbazar.
Metro compiles a list of things to know while buying firecrackers so one does not end up purchasing illegal crackers.
What are green crackers?
Crackers which are formulated and endorsed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) are called green crackers.
How to distinguish a green cracker from an illegal one?
The only way to identify a green cracker is to scan the QR code on the box. “Any scanner can be used to scan the code. If a certificate with the manufacturing details is displayed, only then can we confirm that the box contains green crackers,” said Subhankar Manna, general secretary, West Bengal Fireworks Association.
What to expect when the QR code is scanned?
On scanning a QR code, a certificate should be generated mentioning the name and nature of the fireworks; details such as the name and address of the manufacturer, chemical composition of the fireworks and the percentage of each chemical in it; and the percentage of reduction in emission, a police officer said. The certificate should be on the letterhead of CSIR-NEERI and should bear the official seal of the authorised signatory of CSIR-NEERI.
What if the QR code does not work?
If no certificate is generated by scanning the QR code, chances are the crackers are illegal. “All green crackers, if scanned, will produce a certificate. Different companies have designed different types of certificates. But all will mandatorily contain the manufacturer’s details and the composition of the crackers with a seal of the CSIR-NEERI, the officer said.
Whom to alert if someone is found selling or using illegal crackers?
Dial 100 to alert the police. The local police station, too, can be alerted if someone is found using illegal crackers.
Is bursting non-green crackers a punishable offence?
Yes. Section 9(b)(1)(b) of the Explosives Act says the manufacture, possession and sale of banned firecrackers can land the offender in jail for up to three years. The offender can also be fined up to Rs 5,000. If someone is found bursting illegal firecrackers, the police can immediately arrest him or her.
Where can one buy green crackers?
Green crackers will be available at government-approved Bazi Bazars ahead of Diwali.