No production, sale of firecrackers: SC backs Delhi government's ban
What's the story
While hearing a plea seeking the production and sale of firecrackers containing barium in the national capital, the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday reportedly said no "for the present."
According to the Hindustan Times, the top court also denied interfering with the Delhi government's September 11 order banning the use of all firecrackers in Delhi to curb pollution ahead of the festive season.
Petition
What did the petition say
The firecracker manufacturers association filed the petition to incorporate barium in green crackers with better formulations. In response, the SC stated that previous orders prohibiting the use of barium-based compounds in firecrackers will prevail.
It also denied another application from the firework manufacturers to use joined crackers.
Notably, the SC has been hearing the matter since 2015 and has issued several interim orders.
details
Don't issue temporary firecracker sale licenses: Delhi Police
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and AS Bopanna said, "We have to see what level of work has been done over the years. We see that most of the aspects have been taken care of by various orders passed by this court."
"When there is a ban imposed by the government it means complete ban. Giving licenses...will be in violation of our orders."
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Delhi government's order
Last week, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced during a press conference that all types of firecrackers will remain banned in the national capital during this year's Diwali as well.
The ban also included the manufacturing, storage, sale, online delivery, and bursting of any type of firecracker.
Rai also said that the police in Delhi-NCR have been asked not to issue licenses for firecrackers.
more details
2,616 people arrested for bursting firecrackers since 2016: Delhi Police
According to the Delhi Police statistics presented in the apex court, 926 cases were registered for storing and selling firecrackers, and 3,120 cases were filed for bursting crackers in the national capital from 2016 to August 31, 2023.
Furthermore, the police also confirmed that it apprehended 2,616 individuals for bursting firecrackers and 740 for storage and sale, reported The Hindu.
further information
Recalling Delhi's firecracker ban
To recall, green crackers were allowed in Delhi in 2020 for some time, but a complete ban on firecrackers was implemented later that year in November.
Later, all firecrackers were entirely banned in the national capital in 2021 and 2022 on the back of Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) falling into the "severe" category the day after Diwali in the previous years.