New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period around Diwali, permitting their use between 6am and 7am and 8pm and 10pm on November 7 and 8, while making it clear that a complete ban on firecrackers will be restored from November 9. A bench of justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said it was opting for a "regulated" approach rather than a blanket prohibition, saying the complete ban imposed earlier had neither significantly improved air quality nor prevented the illegal sale and use of conventional firecrackers. It also noted that the restrictions had repeatedly been flouted, with conventional crackers being sold under the guise of green firecrackers. The court's observation is a damning indictment of Delhi Police, which has proved inadequate to the task of enforcing orders on the sale and bursting of firecrackers. "Though imposition of a blanket ban seems to be the ideal solution, we are of the opinion that this Court, at this point in time, is short of adequate data to decide whether or not a complete ban would be the best solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by bursting firecrackers," noted the bench. The court on Monday allowed the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period around Diwali, permitting their use between 6am and 7am and 8pm and 10pm on November 7 and 8, while making it clear that a complete ban on firecrackers will be restored from November 9.P4...