New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the sale and use of green crackers in Telangana for two hours, modifying the high court’s order on Thursday, which imposed a ban on sale and use of firecrackers in the state.The two-judge bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and Sajiv Khanna was hearing a plea by the Telangana Fire Workers Dealers Association, which had challenged the high court order on grounds that the decision will impact their livelihoods.The petitioner had argued that the order was submitted without providing the Association an opportunity to represent itself. It had contended that selling of firecrackers is a “seasonal business for which heavy investments have been made,” said reports.The apex court’s direction is in accordance with the November 9 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had permitted bursting of green crackers in cities where air quality is “moderate”, LiveLaw has reported.Meanwhile, following the Telangana high court’s directions, the Telangana government had on Friday issued an order imposing a ban on sale and use of firecrackers with immediate effect.In addition to banning sale and use of fireworks by people and organisations on Thursday, the Telangana high court had directed the state government to immediately clamp down and close shops which were selling fireworks.A government order (GO), dated November 12, said the high court has further issued directions to appeal to people, both through print and the electronic media, to refrain from bursting firecrackers, to prevent any further deterioration in air quality.The government order had asked the state DGP, DG of fire services and all-district collectors, commissioners of police, superintendents of police in the state to take immediate action to close the shops which are selling fireworks throughout the state.Besides Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Karnataka have also banned firecrackers.(With inputs from PTI)