Government bans all sorts of firecrackers in Delhi from September

The Delhi government imposed a ban on all sorts of firecrackers in the capital city till January 2023 in order to control the air pollution level. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai tweeted this Wednesday "In order to save people from the danger of pollution in Delhi, like last year, this time also the production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned, so that people's lives can be saved".

Now the question of the allowance of green cracker arises. However the government had put a ban to all kinds of crackers which also includes green crackers. Online sale and delivery of crackers would be banned. Mr. Rai also said "This time there will also be a ban on online sale/delivery of firecrackers in Delhi. This restriction will remain in force till January 1, 2023. An action plan will be drawn up with Delhi Police, DPCC and Revenue Department for strict enforcement of the ban".

In 2021 also, the Delhi Government had banned the sales and bursting of firecrackers for the period from September 2021 to January 1, 2022. Around Rs 10000 and Rs 20000 penalty was charged as a punishment for bursting crackers in suburban and silent zones respectively. Last year 138 and 143 people were arrested for selling and burning crackers respectively. Around 20000 kg of crackers were seized. 

Dussehra and diwali without crackers is almost impossible to be imagined but the amount of inflation in pollution level of the atmosphere and the hazards caused in Delhi can be ignored. The Air Quality Index was above 500 marks indicating extremely bad condition of air. Unfortunately Delhi faces the problem of smog every year during the months of October and November. This occurs as the effect of pollution caused by burning of crackers in the neighbouring states of Rajashtan, Punjab and Haryana. 

The government had not specified the time at which this abatement would begin but the regarding detailed notice is expected to be released soon. The BJP criticised the AAP government’s cracker ban and considered its imposition just before Diwali means “hurting the sentiments of Hindu”.