This Diwali, SC puts ban on sale of fire crackers in Delhi-NCR region
The sale of firecrackers during Diwali has been banned by Supreme Court, due to rise in air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
The top court, through its November 11 order last year, had suspended all licences which "permit sale of fireworks, wholesale and retail within the territory of NCR".
On September 12, the apex court had temporarily lifted its earlier order and permitted sale of firecrackers.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had told the bench that they "support" the application, during the hearing on the plea seeking restoration of last year's order
Advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan, appearing for petitioner Arjun Gopal, had contended before the court that ban on use of firecrackers should be restored as the NCR had witnessed a huge rise in air pollution during and after Diwali last year.
He said that rise in air pollution during last Diwali was because of several reasons, majorly because of extensive use of firecrackers.
The counsel, appearing for the permanent licencees selling crackers, had opposed the plea and said the September 12 order temporarily lifting the ban, was "well-reasoned" and passed after hearing all the parties, including the CPCB.
He had argued that all aspects raised by the petitioner now were considered by the apex court while passing the order last month and though firecrackers impacted air quality, it was "not the greatest cause of particulate matter (PM) 2.5".
-PTC News
