SC asks Delhi, NCR states to spell out stand on year-round firecracker ban
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to spell out their respective stand on banning firecrackers in the National Capital Region throughout the year.
“The issue regarding the ban on use of firecrackers in NCR states is yet to be addressed. We direct the state governments concerned to place their decisions regarding complete ban on the use of firecrackers throughout the year,” a Bench led by Justice AS Oka said.
The ban is required not only to curb the air pollution but also noise pollution, said the Bench which also included Justice AG Masih.
At present, such a ban is in place only around Diwali and New Year.
After getting the stands of NCR states on record, it would consider issuing necessary directions to ban the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of firecrackers, the Bench said.
The Bench, which has been hearing the Delhi air pollution issue and monitoring the measures taken by the authorities in NCR states to check it, had earlier said that no religion encouraged activities that generated pollution. It had also asked the Delhi Government to consider a perpetual ban on firecrackers in the national capital.
The Bench directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to continue with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-II restrictions in the national capital along with certain GRAP III measures such as water sprinkling, mechanised road sweeping and restricting entry of inter-state buses.
Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh submitted that the authorities should adopt a proactive approach and implement the next stage of GRAP before AQI thresholds were breached, instead of awaiting orders from the top court.
