Supreme Court Bans The Sale Of Fire Crackers In New Delhi

Finally the residents of New Delhi can heave a sigh of relief. In a landmark judgment, On Friday afternoon a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief 

Justice of India Tirath Singh Thakur, along with AK Sikri and S.A Bobde passed an order banning the sale of firecrackers. Pollution levels had risen to alarmingly high proportions after Diwali. In the last 17 years, the pollution levels have never been this high the PM10 is in the range of 900-1700 microgram per cubic meter while the standard level is 100 as per reports by The Hindu

Nobody can sell fire crackers without a license and all existing licenses have been suspended. No new licenses will be issued either. Traders are only allowed to sell if they have a valid license. Activists welcomed the ban but were not surprised as there were clear indications the court would be in favour of the ban. The petition was filed on behalf of three infants by Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan who is also the co-founder of Care For Air.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been asked to study the toxic effects arising from the material used in the making of firecrackers. They will submit a report in due course as to whether these substances are carcinogenic in nature.

Despite the wedding season being in full swing, the ban is enforceable immediately. Storing firecrackers or bringing crackers into Delhi from outside the state is a punishable offense.

Post Diwali the pollution levels were 17 times more than the acceptable limit and Arvind Kejriwal had mentioned Delhi was now one big ‘gas chamber’. The ban is valid until the apex court passes further orders.

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