SC bans sales of firecrackers in Delhi, NCR

No further licences shall be issued till further orders of the court; however, there is no ban on bursting of firecrackers

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the suspension of licences for storing and selling firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region. No further licences shall be issued till further orders of the court. 

The bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur further asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to study the harmful effects of the ingredients used in firecrackers and submit a report to it in three months. The order was passed on several applications moved in public interest seeking a total ban on firecrackers.  It was a menace to public health. This being the wedding season, the danger has increased, the petitions said. 

In another development in the same case, the CPCB on Friday submitted a detailed report as sought by the court giving the graded steps to be taken during the winter months to combat smog and air pollution. The court order on that is expected next Friday. The CPCB had called a meeting of experts following the court order on November 10 to chalk out measures to reduce pollution. The winter months have been categorised into poor,moderate, severe and emergency situations and steps have been proposed to be taken according to the severity of the air pollution. 

In several cases, schools might be closed, diesel vehicles might be banned and other restrictions can be imposed. The problem arises between October and May and steps to be taken in each segment of the year have been codified. Agencies responsible for taking steps have been identified, like traffic police, municipal authorities and pollution checking authorities. The report notes that the overall plan of action is already in place and the implementation authorities are expected to follow it. But the implementation was poor, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the court. He said that the PUC rules will be tightened.