Uttar Pradesh government has directed the education department officials to create awareness among students during Diwali time on the ill-effects of firecrackers.
"By sending a copy of the directives issued by the Supreme Court, the government has directed the officials of higher, secondary and basic education departments to ensure necessary action," Secretary (Home) Mani Prasad Mishra said.
He said that it has been directed to make the students aware with the ill-effects of the firecrackers through teachers and principals in all institutions.
Last month on October 28, the Supreme Court had refused to expand the eight-hour night-time ban period on bursting of crackers and voiced unhappiness over government's failure to run a campaign to create public awareness during Diwali time on the ill-effects of fireworks.
Refusing to modify its direction in 2001 banning bursting of crackers between 2200 hours and 0600 hours, the apex court asked the Centre to "give wide publicity both in print and electronic media to the ill effects of fireworks" almost on daily basis from October 31 to November 12. Diwali is on November 11.
The court was hearing a petition, filed by the fathers on behalf of three infants aged between six and 14 months, who had stressed on their right to be brought up in a pollution- free environment and pleaded that government agencies be restrained from issuing licence for sale of crackers in the national capital.
