New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the National Capital Region (NCR) states to place on record decisions taken to implement throughout the year firecracker ban.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih directed this to the NCR states after it was informed by the counsel representing the Delhi government that it had imposed ban on firecrackers till January next year but it was mulling to ban it throughout the year and it would be notified soon.
Imposing ban on firecrackers required not only to curb air pollution but also noise pollution: Apex Court
“The issue regarding ban on use of firecrackers in states of NCR is yet to be addressed. We direct the concerned state governments of NCR to place on record their decisions regarding complete ban on use of firecrackers throughout the year,” the bench said and added that imposing ban on firecrackers is required not only to curb air pollution but also noise pollution.
The bench also made it clear that the ban on firecrackers would also include ban on sale, manufacture, storage and use of firecrackers.
‘Hardly implemented’, apex court earlier observed on violation of firecrackers ban
The bench earlier, while hearing the air pollution matter, had expressed its serious concerns on high pollution levels in Delhi during Diwali festival and had taken exception to violation of court orders on firecrackers ban, observing that it was “hardly implemented”.
Why a ban on firecracker was limited to Diwali, top court earlier asked Delhi government
The apex court had also asked the Delhi Government that why a ban on firecracker was limited to Diwali and had asked it to decide on the aspect of “perpetual ban” on firecrackers by November 25. The counsel representing the Delhi government had told the bench that top court’s direction for perpetual ban will be considered after consultation with various stakeholders. The counsel had expressed helplessness on implementing the firecracker ban order, saying that it has to be implemented by the Delhi Police.
The bench had also asked the Delhi Police commissioner to file personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by the police to enforce ban on firecrackers.
Will try to find out a permanent solution, apex court earlier said
The apex court, expressing its concerns at the severe air pollution in NCR states during every winter, earlier said that permanent solutions had to be found with respect to stubble burning and various other causes causing pollution and it wants to go into all aspects of causes of pollution and will try to find out a permanent solution.
