Tannuka Juneja
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the production, sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers will be banned in the national capital until January 1. “Production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned so that people’s lives can be saved,” Rai tweeted.
This time there will also be a ban on online sales and delivery of firecrackers in Delhi. The restriction will remain in force till January 1, 2023, he further added.
Rai said an action plan will be drawn up with the Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Board and the Department of Revenue to strictly enforce the ban. Last year, the Delhi government ordered a complete ban on the sale and popping of crackers in the national capital from September 28 to January 1, 2022.
The city government also launched the “Patakhe Nahi Diye Jalao” campaign to raise awareness against the burning of crackers. Those who set off crackers are prosecuted under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosives Act.
Arvind Kejriwal’s government has failed to control air pollution in Delhi and is now “arrogant” in banning firecrackers, BJP leader Kapil Mishra has said.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra said the Arvind Kejriwal government has failed to curb air pollution in Delhi and is now “showing off” by banning firecrackers.
“It has been proved in scientific reports and the court that firecrackers are not the source of pollution. When the Kejriwal government has failed to stop pollution in Delhi, why show off by banning firecrackers?” he tweeted in Hindi.
Neighboring Haryana has also banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in 14 districts of its National Capital Region (NCR), while Uttar Pradesh allowed the use of green crackers on Diwali just for two hours in areas with moderate or better air quality.
