Ban on sale, burning of firecrackers from Oct 22 in Palwal

The District Magistrate has banned the sale and use of firecrackers in the Palwal district. However, the order will not  be applicable on eco-friendly crackers.

DC Harish Kumar Vashist said the orders would remain effective from October 22, 2024, to January 31, 2025. He said while the ban had been a part of the measures taken to control air pollution, which worsened during winters, especially during the festival season, in this part of the NCR. He said there would be a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of all types of firecrackers except the green ones. He said the green firecrackers would be allowed to be burned during the prescribed time period on the occasion of Diwali, Christmas and New Year as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court. Instructions have also been issued to the E-commerce companies such as Flipkart, Amazon and other such platforms not to accept any online orders of firecrackers.

The orders have been issued on the basis of Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code, 2023, and under the provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, 1884, which prevents the storage and sale of firecrackers. The responsibility of ensuring compliance of the rules has been given to the SDM, police station in-charges, Municipal Council officers, Block Development and Panchayat Officers and tehsildars in their respective areas and zones. They have been asked to submit compliance reports to the Deputy Commissioner's office on a daily basis.

Any violation would invite legal action under various sections of the Criminal Procedure Act and Explosive Substances Act, 1884, said the DC.