News Mania / Piyal Chatterjee / 15th October 2024
With effect from January 1, the Delhi government on Monday immediately prohibited the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of all types of firecrackers within the city. According to a party statement, the Delhi BJP responded to the ban by questioning the justification for the yearly ban on firecrackers during Diwali and accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of enforcing it without providing any scientific proof.
Gopal Rai, the environment minister for Delhi, made the announcement and asked citizens to help the government reduce air pollution.
Rai in a post on X said, “In view of the increasing pollution in winter, a ban has been imposed on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers from today till January 1.”
“The Delhi government has issued instructions regarding the ban, and we request the cooperation of all Delhiites,” he added.
To guarantee that the prohibition is implemented effectively, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has prepared comprehensive guidelines that include severe penalties for infractions.
The prohibition, which covers all types of firecrackers, including those purchased online, comes before winter pollution, which is made worse by stubble burning, reduced wind speeds, and other seasonal elements.In accordance with the direction, the Delhi Police must enforce the prohibition and provide the DPCC with daily action briefs.
Rai, who made the announcement while visiting the construction site of a sports complex, said, “Today, the AQI has been reported in the ‘poor’ category, and as winter approaches, pollution tends to increase as temperatures drop. The government is working on a 21-point plan to address this issue, and we will intensify our efforts to raise public awareness on the matter.” He cited dust pollution, transport emissions, and biomass burning as the three main sources of pollution in the city.
But according to Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Kapoor, the Delhi administration has not released a report naming firecrackers as a major pollutant. By pointing out that the AAP administration had previously advocated the use of green crackers as a safer substitute but had subsequently disassociated itself from that program, he questioned the coherence of the government’s strategy.
“The Delhi government is yet to present any scientific report proving that firecrackers burned on Diwali night significantly contribute to winter pollution,” said Kapoor.
