CUTTACK: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the Orissa High Court on Wednesday sought a direction to ban sale and use of crackers along with other explosive materials during Diwali.
Chief Secretary AP Padi, Secretary, Home Department, Law Secretary and Director General of Police have been made parties in the PIL filed by Surendra Panigrahi, president of Berhampur-based Bharatiya Bikash Parisad.
The PIL cited that crackers of different varieties are dangerous and cause environment, sound and air pollution which is hazardous for public health. The PIL also stated that people of Odisha, mostly addicted to alcohol and other narcotic substances, use crackers during Diwali in dangerous manner causing accidents, invalidating many persons and even killing some, who come in direct contact with explosion.
Stating that Diwali should be limited to lighting diyas, the PIL has prayed the High Court to direct opposite parties to cancel cracker sale licence and ban on use during the Diwali.