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Cant put blanket ban on Diwali crackers

28-10-2015
28th October 2015

- India Today

Cant put blanket ban on Diwali crackers

Centre has told Supreme Court that its not in favour of putting a blanket on crackers on Diwali. While replying to a PIL seeking a complete ban on crackers on Diwali, the Centre on Tuesday told the apex court that guidelines on the issue already exist.

Citing a judgment by the Supreme Court in 2001, the Centre said that the ruling allows bursting of crackers from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm. Now, the apex court will hear the matter on Wednesday.

Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin, all aged between 6 and 14 months, had knocked the doors of the Supreme Court seeking immediate steps to curb Delhis fatal air pollution including ban on fire crackers during Diwali.

Admitting their petition, a bench headed by chief justice HL Dattu issued notices to the Delhi government, Delhi Pollution Control Board and the Centre seeking their response by October 16.
Appearing for the infants, who moved court through their legal guardians, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal had claimed that the Delhi government had Rs 387 crore to combat pollution, but at least 87 per cent of the funds lie unused.

Filed with the help of advocate Pooja Dhar, the petition demands among other things, a total ban on the use of firecrackers, sparklers, and explosives during festivals. They have also sought an interim stay before the ensuing Diwali.

The PIL also sought ban on burning of seasonal crops, strict action against those who dump dust, malba and other pollutants without following rules and immediate introduction of Bharat-V or better emission norms into operation uniformly across country.


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