TN to consult all stakeholders on modified 2-hr cracker slot

The Tamil Nadu government said it would consult stakeholders regarding the Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday of allowing the state to pick a two-hour slot for bursting firecrackers on Diwali.

The apex court modified its earlier order of fixing an 8-10 pm slot for bursting crackers on Diwali, saying the time would be changed in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but not exceed the two-hour duration. Diwali falls on November 6 in the state.

"The order has come just now. The government will decide accordingly after consulting all (stakeholders)," Chief Minister K Palaniswami told reporters in Madurai.

Senior police officials told PTI that the modalities would be decided shortly and the apex court order would be implemented. They, however, declined to divulge information on the ways in which the order would be carried out.

Chennai-based environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman welcomed the apex court order on the two-hour slot, but said its enforcement and awareness were the key aspects. "I do not know how it is going to be enforced. Also, its success will depend on the kind of awareness that the state is going to take up."