New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 19) observed that the ban on the use of firecrackers throughout the year will be effectively only when all states forming the part of the National Capital Territory (NCR) follow the ban imposed by the Delhi government and Rajasthan government and asked the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments to impose similar ban in the areas falling under the NCR region.
A bench Comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih said it would consider passing the direction to the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on banning use of firecrackers in the areas falling under the NCR region on the next date of hearing into the air pollution matter.
What did NCR states submit on complete firecracker ban?
The Delhi Government, during the hearing, informed the bench that it has enforced complete ban on manufacture, storage, selling including delivery through online marketing platforms and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in the city throughout the year with immediate effect. The Rajasthan government also told the bench that it has imposed a similar ban in that part of Rajasthan which falls in the NCR region.
While the Haryana government informed the bench that it has only allowed greencrackers, the Uttar Pradesh government told the bench that it has not imposed complete ban on firecrackers throughout the year.
Ban will be effective only when other NCR states impose similar measures: Apex Court
“We are of the view that this ban (on firecrackers) will be effective only when other states forming part of NCR region impose similar measures. For the time being, we direct the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose similar ban which is imposed by the state of Delhi under order dated 19 December 2024. In January 2025, we will consider issue of passing further directions,” the bench said.
What did the apex court earlier say on complete firecracker ban?
The apex court had last week directed the NCR states to consider complete ban on use of firecrackers throughout the year and place on record their decisions in this regard, saying imposing ban on firecrackers is required not only to curb air pollution but also noise pollution.
The top court earlier had expressed its serious concerns on high pollution levels in the national capital during Diwali festival and had taken exception to violation of court orders on firecrackers ban, observing that it was “hardly implemented”.
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