Chandigarh, Sept. 4 -- The Chandigarh administration has extended the application window for temporary cracker licences for Diwali 2026, permitting exclusively the sale of CSIR-NEERI-certified eco-friendly green crackers. Interested applicants can submit online forms through the administration's service portal starting September 7 at 9 am until September 12 at 5 pm. A non-refundable application fee of Rs.500 is applicable per site. The allotment of licences will be finalised via a draw of lots scheduled for September 14 at 4pm at Bal Bhawan, Sector 23. Green crackers are formulated to significantly lower emissions and particulate matter relative to conventional fireworks, requiring official certification from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). The administration has urged applicants to review eligibility guidelines on the official portal, noting that authorities retain the discretion to adjust schedules or cancel the draw if required in the public interest....