Days before Diwali, CM Ashok Gehlot bans firecrackers in Rajasthan
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday issued guidelines to ban firecrackers in the state, to protect the general population and coronavirus-infected from harmful smoke. This decision came just days before Diwali. In a series of tweets, the Congress leader said the health and safety of residents are paramount for his government. So far, 1,88,048 have gotten infected in Rajasthan and 1,853 have died.
Gehlot cited example of second wave in developed nations
Gehlot took the decision at a high-level meeting, where the guidelines for Unlock 6 were also discussed. He said developed countries like Germany, UK, France, Italy, and Spain, are seeing the second wave of coronavirus and have returned to lockdowns. "To avoid such a situation here, we also have to be careful," he wrote. He also ordered to monitor vehicular pollution.
You can read his tweet here
Avoid firecrackers during Diwali: Gehlot
Further, Gehlot said the poisonous smoke not only affects coronavirus-infected but is also detrimental for people having heart ailments and breathing problems. "In such a situation, people should avoid fireworks during Diwali," he added. Asserting that instructions to ban the temporary license for the sale of firecrackers have already been given, he added the firecrackers mustn't be used during weddings, other functions as well.
Rajasthan mulling law to make masks compulsory
"Along with the 'public movement against coronavirus' going on in the state, the government will make wearing masks compulsory by enacting a law today itself," Gehlot further added.
In Rajasthan, air quality has slipped alarmingly recently
Much like other areas of North India, Rajasthan is suffering due to deteriorating air quality. For six straight days until October 29, the air quality index remained in the "very poor" category in Bhiwadi. Last Tuesday, air quality slipped to the "poor" category for the first time this season in Ajmer. The air quality neared the "poor" category in the capital Jaipur as well.
In 2018, Supreme Court had levied restrictions on bursting firecrackers
Evidently, in the last couple of years, courts and governments have launched a crackdown on firecrackers to check the rising levels of air pollution. To recall, the Supreme Court in 2018 had permitted NCR residents to burst firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali, and from 11:55 pm-12:30 am on other festivals like Christmas. The court promoted the sale of "eco-friendly" firecrackers.
Double whammy: Air pollution wreaking havoc on India's coronavirus battle
To note, India's fight against coronavirus could be adversely affected by the added menace of air pollution. Both COVID-19 and air pollution attack the lungs, causing problems like breathlessness. Air pollution also increases death risk among coronavirus-infected. In this scenario, experts have advised even the ones who have defeated the fatal disease to get flu shots, to attain some level of protection from pollution.
