Crackdown on crackers, Sale & use banned in 4 states before Diwali

Nearly 4 states have banned the sale and use of crackers ahead of Diwali.Odisha, Sikkim and Delhi. Calcutta high court too in a verdict banned the sale and use of firecrackers.

Covid pandemic: Odisha bans sale and use of firecrackers

Bhubaneswar:Odisha government today banned the sale and use of fire crackers across the state from November 10 to 30 next in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An order issued by Chief Secretary  Asit Tripathy said any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws.

The decision to ban the sale and use of fire crackers was taken as per the recommendation of the Technical Expert Committee of the state government.

The Technical and Expert committee has recommended the prohibition of burning of fire  crackers to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly persons, children, persons with co-morbidities and others.

 The State, the order said, is passing through a critical stage of COVID-19 pandemic. The winter season is approaching during which the elderly persons, children, persons with co-morbidities and others develop respiratory problems.

The Dewali  and Kartika Purnima festivals are approaching and people usually burn fire crackers during such occasions. 

Burning  of the fire crackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals, which have severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups and such pollutants can further 

aggravate health conditions of COVID-19 positive persons besides persons staying in 

home isolation.

Considering  the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amidst COVID-19 pandemic situation and approaching winter, the State Government have directed to prohibit the sale and use of fire crackers from November 10 to 30 in the public interest

In exercise of the powers conferred under section 24(l) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 read with rule 8(1) of the Odisha Disaster Management Rules, 20L0, the government directs that the sale and use of fire crackers shall remain prohibited in all parts of the State from November 10 to 30 next.

Mr.Tripathy said due to the proactive steps taken by the Odisha  government and cooperation of the people, the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has been controlled in the State to a significant extent.

While the present number of active cases has shown a dip, the danger is still very much present, he stated.In some parts of the country and in the world, resurgence of COVID-19 infection has witnessed where COVID-19 appropriate behaviours have not been strictly adhered to.

A number of countries across the world have been compelled to re- impose the 

lockdowns and other extreme measures to contain the resurgence and further spread 

of the disease. The international experience shows that the coming winter season may see further spread of the pandemic.

Further, the air pollution, higher concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) 

in the air aggravates the respiratory problems.Deepavali, the festival of lights, may be celebrated in the traditional way by lighting of Earthen Lamps (Mati Deepa/Diya), Candles and other traditional lighting materials

Ahead of Diwali, Sikkim bans fire crackers

Gangtok:Sikkim has placed a complete ban on bursting fire crackers until further order. 

Chief Secretary SC Gupta in an order under section 522 (2) (h) Disaster Management Act 2005 issued a complete ban on bursting fire crackers, citing air pollution threat. 

"Significant number of COVID19  patients have recovered. But the increase in air pollution on burning crackers may prove hazardous for the recovered as well as active COVID19 patients," said the Chief Secretary.

District Magistrates and SPs have been entrusted with the responsibility to take steps for compliance of "No Crackers" order.

Sikkim has been banning fire crackers since 20014. Though the urban population mostly adheres to it, the rural population flouts the rule. 

Calcutta High court bans sale and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court today imposed a ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali from November 15 to 30 to prevent the resurgence of cononavirus infections across the state of West Bengal.

In a crowded courtroom, the two-judge bench, headed by Justice Sanjib Banerjee issued the ruling on a string of petitions filed before the court seeking a ban on bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.

The court directed that the ban would also be in force during Jagaddhatri Puja, Chhath and Kartik Puja.

The bench said that guidelines, which were implemented during Durga Puja such as no entry to pandals, would also be in effect during Kali Puja. 

The bench lauded the state government for effectively implementing the court-directed guidelines on Durga Puja.It asked the police to ensure that the norms are strictly enforced on Kali Puja as well.

Fifteen people will be allowed in the Kali Puja pandals having an area up to 300 sq metres, and 45 persons in the bigger ones, the court said. The bench also disallowed procession during immersion.

Crackers banned in Delhi

New Delhi:The Delhi government on Thursday banned firecrackers in the national capital, to curb the rising levels of pollution.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that COVID-19 cases have increased in Delhi due to the ongoing festival season and pollution.

"Reviewed corona situation in Delhi and preparedness with Chief Secy, Health officials and all DMs. Corona cases have increased due to festival season and pollution. It was decided to ban crackers in Delhi", the Chief Minister tweeted.

He further said that a decision was also taken to ramp up the medical infrastructure, Oxygen and ICU beds in Delhi government hospitals.

Earlier in the day, Mr Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi to come together for Lakshmi Pujan and celebrate the festival of lights without burning crackers. 

''We will celebrate Diwali together without burning crackers. If we burn crackers, we will be playing with the health of our children and our family. We are arranging for something different for Diwali this year,'' he added.(UNI)