We have imposed permanent ban on firecrackers, Delhi govt. tells SC

Delhi government imposes permanent ban on firecrackers, urges NCR states to follow suit for environmental protection.

The Delhi government informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it had imposed an “all-pervasive, permanent” ban on firecrackers with immediate effect.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice A.S. Oka, senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing Delhi, said the order was passed by the Principal Secretary, Environment, Government of Delhi, on December 19 pursuant to the top court’s orders.

“We have banned it [firecrackers]... It is permanent, all-pervasive,” Mr. Farasat submitted.

The senior lawyer said the statutory order of ban was passed under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

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“The State government has enforced a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, selling, including delivery through online marketing platforms, and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Territory of Delhi throughout the year with immediate effect,” the Supreme Court recorded in its order.

The Delhi government counsel, however, said its ban would become really effective only if the other National Capital Region (NCR) States of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh enforce similar measures.