The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that the people seemed to be “running after” firecracker industries and automobiles were perhaps “bigger” contributor to pollution.

It also asked the Centre whether there was any comparative study on pollution caused by vehicles and firecrackers.

While expressing serious concern over loss of jobs of people involved in manufacture and sale of firecrackers, a bench of Justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer said, “We do not wish to generate unemployment.”

“Is there any comparative study on what proportion of pollution is caused by firecrackers and what proportion is caused by automobiles? It seems you are running after firecrackers, but bigger pollution contributor is perhaps vehicles,” the bench told Additional Solicitor General ANS Nadkarni, who was appearing for the Centre.

The top court said, “You must tell us some way of preventing unemployment also. We cannot have people unemployed and hungry. There are areas where firecrackers can be used.”

“We cannot give them (those who have lost jobs) money. We cannot support their families. Unemployment is there,” the bench said. 

The bench also raised a question as to how manufacture of firecrackers could be stopped if the trade is legal and people have licence to carry out the business.

“Nobody has tested this in relation to Article 19 (which says all citizens shall have the right to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business). If the trade is legal and you have the licence for this, then how can you stop this? How can you leave people unemployed?” the bench observed.

The court was hearing a plea which has sought a complete ban on use of firecrackers across the country on the ground that it gives rise to pollution.

The apex court had last year said people in the country can burst firecrackers only from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and other festivals, and had allowed the manufacture and sale of only “green crackers” which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the ASG told the bench that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and other expert agencies were experimenting and they have come up with composition of “green crackers”.