- Observing the reports that firecrackers of different kinds are being openly sold in Delhi markets even after banning it, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central government to ensure that there is no violation of court’s order. The top court pointed out that newspaper photographs reveal that all sorts of firecrackers are available in the market despite the court order.
The bench comprising Justices MM Sundaresh and PB Varale said this on Tuesday while observing a news item and photographs carried in an English daily. The bench sought the attention of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati who was present in the court.
Referring to the news item, the court said that today’s news contains a photograph which says that everything is available in stores despite yesterday’s order. Kindly observe this matter.
It may be mentioned here that in its order dated October 29th, a copy of which came to light on Monday, the Supreme Court had allowed the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days during the occasion of Diwali subject to strict conditions.
According to this court order, green firecrackers can only be burst on Diwali in Delhi-NCR on November 7th and 8th, from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. However, there will be a complete ban on firecrackers within 300 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, health centers, old-age homes, schools, and notified silent zones.
On November 9th, the earlier complete ban on firecrackers will return. This means that the court has permitted the use of green firecrackers for only two days, subject to conditions.
In that order, the court stated that a complete ban on firecrackers would be an ideal solution, but it currently lacked sufficient data to determine whether a complete ban on firecrackers would be the best solution to the problem of environmental pollution. Furthermore, the court expressed concern over the lack of effective implementation of previous orders banning firecrackers and the measures taken by the authorities.
The court stated that burning firecrackers definitely causes pollution. Granting conditional permission to use green firecrackers, the court stated in its order that only CSIR-NEERI and PESO-certified manufacturers would be able to manufacture approved green firecrackers from November 2 to 6.
A QR code, specific to the product and batch, will be mandatory on each firecracker container. Scanning this code should reveal manufacturer registration, license, formulation, and testing certificates.
The online sale of firecrackers, and the manufacture and sale of barium-containing firecrackers and strings, will remain prohibited. In that order, the court also directed the district administration and police to designate designated places for sale, form patrol teams, and prevent the movement of illegal firecrackers.
The Central Pollution Control Board was directed to prepare a report on air quality monitoring before, during, and after Diwali. Data on the increase in patient numbers due to pollution was also sought from hospitals in Delhi-NCR. The concerned states were asked to submit compliance reports by December 14th.
- Observing the reports that firecrackers of different kinds are being openly sold in Delhi markets even after banning it, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central government to ensure that there is no violation of court’s order. The top court pointed out that newspaper photographs reveal that all sorts of firecrackers are available in the market despite the court order.
The bench comprising Justices MM Sundaresh and PB Varale said this on Tuesday while observing a news item and photographs carried in an English daily. The bench sought the attention of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati who was present in the court.
Referring to the news item, the court said that today’s news contains a photograph which says that everything is available in stores despite yesterday’s order. Kindly observe this matter.
It may be mentioned here that in its order dated October 29th, a copy of which came to light on Monday, the Supreme Court had allowed the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days during the occasion of Diwali subject to strict conditions.
According to this court order, green firecrackers can only be burst on Diwali in Delhi-NCR on November 7th and 8th, from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. However, there will be a complete ban on firecrackers within 300 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, health centers, old-age homes, schools, and notified silent zones.
On November 9th, the earlier complete ban on firecrackers will return. This means that the court has permitted the use of green firecrackers for only two days, subject to conditions.
In that order, the court stated that a complete ban on firecrackers would be an ideal solution, but it currently lacked sufficient data to determine whether a complete ban on firecrackers would be the best solution to the problem of environmental pollution. Furthermore, the court expressed concern over the lack of effective implementation of previous orders banning firecrackers and the measures taken by the authorities.
The court stated that burning firecrackers definitely causes pollution. Granting conditional permission to use green firecrackers, the court stated in its order that only CSIR-NEERI and PESO-certified manufacturers would be able to manufacture approved green firecrackers from November 2 to 6.
A QR code, specific to the product and batch, will be mandatory on each firecracker container. Scanning this code should reveal manufacturer registration, license, formulation, and testing certificates.
The online sale of firecrackers, and the manufacture and sale of barium-containing firecrackers and strings, will remain prohibited. In that order, the court also directed the district administration and police to designate designated places for sale, form patrol teams, and prevent the movement of illegal firecrackers.
The Central Pollution Control Board was directed to prepare a report on air quality monitoring before, during, and after Diwali. Data on the increase in patient numbers due to pollution was also sought from hospitals in Delhi-NCR. The concerned states were asked to submit compliance reports by December 14th.