NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Thursday imposed a "perpetual ban" on the manufacture, use and sale of firecrackers, including through online platforms, in the national capital, according to an official order.
Principal Secretary (environment) of the Delhi government A K Singh invoked the "perpetual ban" on firecrackers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The ban covers manufacturing, storage, and selling, including delivery through online marketing platforms, of all kinds of firecrackers and bursting them in Delhi, said the order.
The move comes amid Delhi facing hazardous air pollution levels leading to a range of restrictions including a ban on construction activities and entry of trucks in the city.
"Delhi faces grave air pollution, particularly in winter season and level of pollutants like Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5 and PM10) goes much beyond the prescribed standards for Ambient Air Quality," said the order.
The Union Territory of Delhi has been declared as an Air Pollution Control area, under the sub-section (1) of section 19 of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, it said.
With the burning of firecrackers considered a major contributor to air pollution spike during the festive season in the city, the Delhi government has been imposing a complete ban on them since 2020 under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Given the past experience of deterioration of ambient air quality from October to January, the ambit of the directions has been increased for a complete ban on manufacturing, storage, selling (including delivery through online marketing platforms) and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi, said the order.
The Supreme Court, in its recent orders, directed the Delhi government about effective steps proposed to ensure that the ban on use of firecrackers is fully implemented as well as taking a decision on the perpetual ban on firecrackers.
The order said the direction for a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi till January 1, 2025, was not completely effective as observed by the Supreme Court.
It could be due to the limited period of the ban which led to prior manufacturing, storage and sale of the firecrackers in the city resulting in the establishment of the supply chain during the months of no ban, it said.
There is a need for directions under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 for an effective ban on manufacturing, storage, sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi round the year, said the order.
It would send a clear message to all stakeholders not to indulge in manufacturing, storing or selling and bursting firecrackers throughout the year in Delhi, which would also aid in effective and complete enforcement, it added.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police and Divisional Commissioner of Delhi have been directed through the order to ensure implementation of the directions under their respective jurisdiction in letter and spirit The violation of the directions issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 shall be punishable under Section 15 of the said Act, added the order.