New Delhi. Hearing was held again in the Supreme Court today in the matter of increasing air pollution in Delhi-NCR and ban on use of firecrackers during Diwali. However, the apex court indicated that it is not in favor of a complete ban on firecrackers on Diwali. Justice M.M. A bench of Justice Sundaresh and Justice Prasanna V. Barale said that it is not the intention of the court to hurt the sentiments of people during festivals. The bench said that issuing orders regarding the use of firecrackers every year on Diwali is not enough, for this work has to be done at a higher level.
The apex court bench mentioned the name of India's star cricketer Virat Kohli during the hearing. The bench said that the help of celebrities like Virat Kohli can be taken to spread awareness about the pollution caused by firecrackers. The bench said that it will pass a balanced order regarding the use of firecrackers, but the real challenge is to implement the order effectively. Expressing concern over the increasing pollution, the court said that keeping in mind the children, elderly and people suffering from serious diseases, the rules should be strictly implemented so that this problem can be dealt with.
The court said that banning firecrackers is not enough, people have to be made aware. However, the bench also said that the new generation is quite aware. During the hearing in the court, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, informed the court about the steps taken by the government to deal with pollution. He told that the ban of Grap-1 has been implemented in Delhi. Office timings will change from November 1 and 50 percent of employees will work from home.