New Delhi, April 4 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to alter its permanent ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), dismissing a plea filed by firework manufacturers who sought either a temporary ban of 3-4 months, permission for green firecrackers, or restricting the ban only to Delhi, citing loss of livelihood.

The court was considering a bunch of applications moved by associations of dealers and manufacturers of fireworks who challenged successive orders passed by the top court since December 2024, directing NCR states to have a year-long ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of firecrackers.

A bench headed by justice Abhay S Oka said the prohibition is "absolutely essential" considering the ...