Ban On Firecrackers Containing Barium Not Limited To Delhi-NCR, Applies To Every State: Supreme Court
The top court had in October 2018 banned the bursting of conventional firecrackers to curb air and sound pollution.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the ban on firecrackers containing barium extends to all states and is not solely limited to the Delhi-NCR region, which is grappling with severe air pollution, reported news agency PTI.
The top court had in October 2018 banned the bursting of conventional firecrackers to curb air and sound pollution.
A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh asked the Rajasthan government to comply with its earlier directions on bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.
"Sensitising common people about the harmful effects of firecrackers is the key. Ironically, nowadays children don't burst many firecrackers but elders do. It is a wrong perception that it is the duty of the court when it comes to pollution and environment protection. People have to come forward. It is for everyone to manage air and sound pollution," the bench said.
As per PTI, the Supreme Court was hearing an intervention application filed in a pending petition seeking a ban on firecrackers. The application sought directions to the Rajasthan government to take steps to check air and sound pollution and impose a ban on firecrackers in Udaipur city during Diwali and weddings.
The bench, while keeping the application pending said, "no specific orders are required to be passed in the application as the court has passed several orders to check air and sound pollutants. The said orders bind every state including Rajasthan and the state government should take note of it not only during the festive season but thereafter."
Earlier on October 23, 2018, the top court had directed that people across the country can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals and allowed manufacture and sale of just "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.
It had carved out an exception for Christmas and the New Year eve saying firecrackers for these occasions will be burst between 11:55 PM and 12:30 AM, since these celebrations start at midnight.
It also banned the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers, saying they cause "huge air, noise and solid waste problems," reported PTI.
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