Now, Telangana HC Orders Immediate Ban on Firecrackers
New Delhi: The Telangana high court has ordered the state government to immediately ban the sale and use of firecrackers in Telangana in the wake of rising pollution, and the consequent effect it has on COVID-19 cases.
This comes close on the heels of similar decisions taken in several states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, and West Bengal as fears abound of a surge in coronavirus cases and the commencement of the second wave of the pandemic.
Responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate P. Indra Prakash, a division bench comprising Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy has ordered the government to “immediately” impose curbs on the shops selling fireworks throughout the state.
The court has also asked the state government to report back to it on November 19 on the steps taken as per its order.
Also read: The National Green Tribunal’s Fireworks Ban Is Just Knee-Jerk Environmentalism
The judges have observed that although festivals serve an important social function, yet it is the bounden duty of the state government to ensure that people’s lives are not put at risk.
The court has also directed the state government to provide wide publicity through print and electronic media to ensure that no body resorts to the sale and use of firecrackers.
Representing the state government, the Advocate General B.S. Prasad has said that the state government has not yet taken a decision to ban the sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali. However, he has informed the court that the government merely hopes that people would continue to observe precautions for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal has also banned the use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till the end of November because of the worsening air pollution. It has also said that in other areas of the country where air pollution has been in the ‘moderate’ window, only green crackers are allowed for a period of two hours.
(With PTI inputs)
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