Shillong,Oct 21:The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has imposed restrictions for the Diwali celebrations in the district.
ORDER OF DC ON DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
(No.C&S.3/2009/PT.III/178, Dated Shillong, the 21st October, 2022)
Whereas, Diwali will be celebrated on the 24th October, 2022 in the whole of East Khasi Hills District,
And, whereas, during the course of the celebration of the festival, bursting of firecrackers in public places and public thoroughfares may take place, and if unregulated, will significantly affect the air quality and will produce a large volume of noise, thereby endangering public safety and causing disturbance to the general public.
And whereas, bursting of crackers leads to increased air pollution which will have an adverse impact on health, and hence it is deemed necessary to ban certain categories of firecrackers and restrict the timing for usage of all others,
And whereas, Hon’ble NGT in Order dated 29.10.20210 has noted that air pollution from all sources has to be contained, and hence there is a felt need to restrict the usage of firecrackers,
And whereas the Government has also directed that the sale and usage of foreign-made firecrackers are strictly prohibited,
Now, therefore, I Smti. Isawanda Laloo, IAS, District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 144 Cr,P.C do hereby prohibit as under:-
1. The sale, purchase and procurement of foreign-made firecrackers.
2. The use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) which cause huge air, noise and solid waste problems.
3. The use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding l25 dB (Al) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting.
4. Bursting of crackers within 100 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centers, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other areas which may have been declared as silent zones by the concerned authorities.
It is also directed that the bursting of firecrackers is permitted only from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the said day.
Further, the sale of fire crackers shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these licensed traders sell only those firecrackers which have been permitted by this office and are in compliance to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.
Further, on the festive day, use of audio systems should conform to the ambient noise level within the prescribed limit of the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules 2000 as amended i.e Audio System used should be fitted with sound limiter. Also, organiser to maintain the ambient noise level within the prescribed limit of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 as amended i.e (A).
In Industrial area emission of sound level is 75 dB(A) Leq during day time and 70 during night time, (B) Commercial area, emission of sound level is 65 dB(A) Leq during day time and 55 during night time, (C) Residential area, emission of sound level is 55 dB(A) Leq during day time and 45 during night time and (D) Silence Zone, emission of sound level is 50 dB(A) Leq during day time and 40 during night time.
In view of the urgency of the matter, this order has been passed exparte and it shall come into force with immediate effect and remain in force till the celebration of the Diwali festival is over.
Given under my hand and seal this the 21st October, 2022.
Sd/-
(Isawanda Laloo, IAS)
District Magistrate,
East Khasi Hills District,
Shillong
