Supreme Court greensignals Pooram firework

Thrissur: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to grant permission for the use of serial palm leaf crackers to Thrissur Pooram organisers.

Both the devaswoms conducting firework display for Pooram-Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu-had approached the court on Monday and the SC had directed the applicants to take up the matter with PESO.

However, in a surprise move on Tuesday, counsel of the applicants R. Basant again raised the matter before the bench of Justice S.A. Bobde and S. Abdul Nazeer.

Mr Basant told the court about the earlier order in April from SC about giving permission for traditional fireworks without the barium nitrate that causes toxic fumes.

Justice Bobde asked PESO’s counsel to explain why there was no permission for the crackers even after barium nitrate was left out.

PESO counsel said the decision was in view of the SC’s earlier order regarding pollution caused by crackers during festivals like diwali.

Justice Bobde said there was no reason for not giving nod for the crackers for Thrissur Pooram as they were void of barium. “Our counsel has informed us that the SC has told PESO that permission for crackers much be given to the applicants and we have been now advised by our lawyer to put up the application for the same before PESO once again,” Paramekkavu devaswom secretary G. Rajesh  said.