Chennai : Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved to Supreme Court seeking permission for people in the state to celebrate and burst firecrackers between 4.30 a.m. and 6.30 a.m on Diwali as is the traditional custom and practice.

In some parts of South India, notably in Tamil Nadu, Diwali is celebrated early in the morning when people get up early in the morning and burst firecrackers as against the practice in North India when firecrackers are burst in the evening.

The SC had in a recent order regulated the bursting of firecrackers with a strict guideline that they be burst only between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Diwali night but between 11.55 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. on Christmas eve and New year’s night.

The SC was dealing with a PIL that sought a nationwide ban on use of firecrackers given the deteriorating environmental situation and increasing pollution that was causing health problems for citizens.

The firecrackers manufacturers, located in Sivakasi of Tamil Nadu, have gone in appeal against the SC order that said it would allow only green firecrackers and banned several firecrackers that use some chemicals that adversely affect environment in cities and towns.

On last Tuesday, the Supreme Court said firecrackers can be burst only between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali and other religious festivals. The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association said there “was no such thing” as green firecrackers in India.

Green crackers cause minimal toxicity and minimal fumes, according to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.