(SunstarTV Bureau): Keeping in view the twin problem of Pandemic and air pollution, multiple states have banned selling and buying of firecrackers. Diwali, just being couple of days away, the whole nation is in dilemma whether to celebrate it in usual pompous way or not.
List of states, which have issued clear notices that selling and bursting of crackers will be looked under strict jurisdiction.
1) Rajasthan: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted on November 2, about his government’s decision to ban the sale and bursting of firecrackers to prevent community spreading of Covid-19, protect the Covid patients, as well as to protect the public from the poisonous side-effects bursting firecrackers. The state government has also announced a penalty of Rs 2,000 on anyone found violating the order.
2) Odisha: Following Rajasthan, the Odisha government, too, announced a ban on the sale of bursting firecrackers, from November 10-30. In an order, Odisha chief secretary AK Tripathy said, “Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other relevant laws.”
3) Sikkim: On November 4, the Sikkim government also issued a notice banning of on firecrackers to safeguard the health of Covid-19 patients and those who have recovered from the disease. “The number of cases has been on the decline and it was felt the use of firecrackers would increase air pollution that could be hazardous for Covid-19 patients,” said a notification signed by chief secretary SK Gupta.
4) Delhi: The national capital, which is a perpetual victim of toxic smog during winter, needed to take this step to prevent any further diminution of health of the public. Amid a massive surge in fresh daily infections in recent days, including record highs, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 5 announced a ban on the use of all firecrackers till November 30.
5) West Bengal: On course with Delhi, the Calcutta High Court banned the use of firecrackers in the state on Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja to check the spread of Covid-19 in the state. “The court has banned the sale and use of fireworks and crackers during Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja this year. There would be no immersion processions this year,” said lawyer Sabyasachi Chatterjee, who had filed the PIL in the court seeking orders to this effect.
6) Maharashtra: Maharashtra on November 6, issued guidelines for curbing the spread of Covid-19 during Diwali. The state capital’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), announced it will ban bursting of firecrackers at public places in the city, notice including penalization of the violators.
Meanwhile, states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have banned the sale and distribution of ‘imported’ firecrackers
7) Karnataka: A day after imposing complete ban on the firecrackers ahead of Diwali, Karanataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on November 7, took U-turn and urged the people to celebrate Diwali in a simple way by using green crackers.
All the citizens are requested to follow the government’s guide lines and not make this Diwali a reason for spike in Covid cases or contribute in spiraling up the pollution level.
