Highlights
- The government on Wednesday put out a warning that those found purchasing and bursting of firecrackers in the city can be punished with a 6-month jail time.
- The Punjab government clarified on Wednesday that a window of two hours- from 8pm to 10pm- will be open for bursting firecrackers on Diwali, October 24.
- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday directed officials to encourage sale and purchase of environment-friendly firecrackers during Diwali celebrations.
With less than a week left for Diwali, the onus is on the government and the people alike to prevent the country from choking on air pollution. In a bid to tackle the annual issue of deteriorating air quality that peaks this time of the year, many states across the country have banned firecrackers altogether, and some have imposed timing rules too. Take a look.
1) Delhi
The Delhi government has passed an order banning the storage, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers in the national capital till January 1, 2023.
The government on Wednesday put out a warning that those found purchasing and bursting of firecrackers in the city can be punished with a 6-month jail time. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the government was prepared to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the city this Diwali, adding that teams have been set up to keep a tab on violators.
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to accord an urgent hearing to a plea against the state government’s strict order. The petitioners contended that the absolute ban by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee is in contravention of the orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, which never provided for such a blanket prohibition.
2) Punjab
The Punjab government clarified on Wednesday that a window of two hours- from 8pm to 10pm- will be open for bursting firecrackers on Diwali, October 24.
Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the state’s environment, science, and technology minister, said the manufacture, stock, distribution, sale, and use of joined firecrackers are banned in the state and only the green crackers would be allowed for sale only through licensed traders.
The minister further said apart from Diwali, crackers bursting will be permitted for one hour from 4am to 5am and one hour from 9 to 10pm on November 8, the ‘Prakash Purab’ of Guru Nanak Dev. Besides, they will also be allowed for 35 minutes each on Christmas and New Year’s eve from 11.55pm to 12.30am, he said.
3) Haryana
The state of Haryana has prohibited the manufacture, sale, and any kind of production related to firecrackers, excluding green crackers. Only green crackers are allowed for manufacture, use, and sale in Haryana according to the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
The HSPCB has also banned several events that might occur during the winter season which will aggravate the air pollution levels.
4) Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government has issued guidelines for use of firecrackers on Diwali. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday directed officials to encourage sale and purchase of environment-friendly firecrackers during Diwali celebrations. He also said it should be ensured that fireworks shops are located in open spaces away from populated areas.
The sale of highly sensitive firecrackers should be discouraged due to environmental and health factors, he said, addressing administrative, police and other officials via video conference.
Adequate fire tenders should be available in the areas where firecrackers are stored and sold, Yogi Adityanath said, adding that the police should remain active there. Yogi Adityanath also said strict action should be taken against anyone issuing mischievous statements and trying to vitiate the atmosphere during the festive season.
5) West Bengal
Only green fireworks are allowed during Kali Puja on October 24, 2022. The Calcutta High Court has announced no fireworks except green crackers that have QR codes in them are to be sold in the state. These green crackers will be imported and sold only during the festival.
6) Tamil Nadu
Following the same trends of the previous four years, the Tamil Nadu government has allowed bursting crackers for an hour but twice on that day. The permitted window lies between 6-7am and between 7-8pm.
An advisory was issued by the state’s pollution control board that has restricted the bursting around silent areas like hospitals, schools, and courts.
