Citizens of Karnataka can now celebrate Diwali by lighting green firecrackers. Within hours after announcing a decision to ban sale and use of firecrackers, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa revoked his decision.
A single page letter addressing the people of the state was released by the Chief Minister's Office on Friday, indicating that people are allowed to sell and use green firecrackers during Diwali.
Green crackers are smaller in size compared to traditional crackers, and are produced using less harmful raw materials.
He maintained that Karnataka had taken all steps to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. "We have taken steps to ban firecrackers during this Deepavali but people can use green firecrackers, if they want to," he said.
Yediyurppa further said that the state government had taken every possible step to organise several major festivals in a most subdued manner and even now it is appealing again to its people to opt for simple celebrations instead of grand celebrations.
"We are taking such steps only in the interest of the people's health," he signed off.
Earlier, Yediyurappa had formally stated that the state government is banning the sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali.
He added that the government had discussed this (firecracker ban) with health experts and had arrived at a conclusion that it would not be a good thing to burst crackers this time.
"Several states, including Rajasthan, Odisha and Delhi, have already decided to ban firecrackers," he had said.
*Edited from an IANS report