The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to come up with a “concrete proposal” to ensure that the markets in Delhi-NCR have only green crackers before it can consider applications for lifting the stay on ban of such crackers.A bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria asked the Centre to take all stakeholders along and come out with a plan by October 7 when it will hear the matter next.“We, however, find that it will be appropriate if the Union of India comes out with a solution after taking all the stakeholders, including the Delhi government, manufacturers and the sellers on board,” the bench said.It added that “as has been experienced, and in spite of there being a complete ban, the ban could not be implemented”. “As was noticed by us in one of the judgements, wherein a complete ban on mining, it had led to illegal mafias engaging in the business of mining. In that view of the matter, it is necessary that a balanced approach must be adopted,” noted the bench.The court also allowed licenced manufacturers of green crackers in Delhi-NCR and those certified by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO) to manufacture the crackers, on the condition that they are not sold in Delhi-NCR “until further orders”.The bench was hearing applications by some of the manufactures seeking modification of its April 3 order, which had put a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers, including those in the green category, in Delhi-NCR.The manufacturers pointed out that the SC had — in its detailed judgement in Arjun Gopal vs Union of India — in 2018 allowed the sale of green crackers and also refused to ban their manufacture.Story continues below this adOn the last date of hearing, the SC had sought the views of the Commission for Air Quality Management for National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on the request of the manufacturers.Responding to this, the CAQM explained that subsequent to the Arjun Gopal ruling where the SC prohibited use of several hazardous and toxic chemicals in the manufacture of firecrackers, institutions like NEERI had developed green firecracker formulations which claim emission reductions of 50 to 88%.It, however, added that there still “appear to be gaps in monitoring and enforcement mechanism” and added that “a rigorous, transparent, and year-round enforcement and monitoring mechanism is required to oversee the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of firecrackers…”On Friday, the SC asked the Delhi government if there was any effective mechanism to monitor the green crackers. The Delhi government’s counsel, however, said the question of licensing and enforcement lies with the Delhi Police.Story continues below this adThe CJI asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared for the Centre, “Why don’t the Union of India take everyone on board. In the meantime, there should be no difficulty allowing them to manufacture provided they don’t sell within the prohibited area.”Bhati said that the Centre is keen on finding solutions. She pointed out that Union Environment Ministry had filed an affidavit in the matter saying that a complete ban is not the way forward.The CJI said that the ban is hardly followed. “There has to be a solution. Extreme orders will create extreme situations.”Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, the amicus curiae in the matter, said the April 3 order applied the ban to Delhi-NCR as burning crackers in one area will have effect on the others too.She pointed to the CAQM finding that there is no effective monitoring mechanism and added that she would not be opposed to allowing green crackers provided it can be ensured that only such crackers are sold.