Ahead of Diwali, the Assam Pollution Control Board has imposed a complete ban on the bursting and selling of firecrackers.
However, the board has allowed green crackers only for two hours during Diwali from 8 pm to 10 pm, while during Chhath Puja from 6 am to 8 am and on Christmas and New Year's Eve from 11:55 pm to 12: 30am.
The Pollution Control Board of Assam issued a notification which says, "Keeping in view the need of public interest to curb high air pollution, the Pollution Control Board of Assam strictly prohibited bursting and selling of firecrackers except green crackers in the State till further orders."
In addition to the festivals specified above, the use of only green firecrackers for a limited period (not exceeding two hours) would require prior permission of the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts.
The State Pollution Control Board also directed district magistrates, commissioners, and superintendents of police to implement the guidelines and asked them to submit their daily activity reports to the board. It also asked the police to take action to stop the supply of firecrackers in the state.