'Can't Be Only For Delhi': Supreme Court Calls For Nationwide Firecracker Ban
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday called for a nationwide firecracker ban while questioning the basis for having the restriction only for Delhi. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai comprising Justice K Vinod Chandran observed that any ban should be part of a policy applicable throughout the country.
The top court underlined that citizens across the country are entitled to a pollution-free environment. The apex court was hearing a batch of applications filed by firecracker manufacturers objecting to the year-long ban applicable to the sale and manufacture of firecrackers in the national capital.
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The court stated that whatever policy on banning firecrackers is there, it should be pan-India. “We cannot have a special policy for Delhi where the elites are there.” If firecrackers are to be banned, they should be banned throughout the country. There should be the same policy throughout the country,” the court added.
The firework traders had challenged the firecrackers ban in Delhi, noting that the livelihood of several families is dependent on this industry.
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The court acknowledged that when the ban is imposed on workers, they are left without job and the poor suffer the most. The court further agreed to examine the matter on the next date. It also directed the Centre, in consultation with NEERI, to submit its response to the applications and provide a further status report on the formulation of green crackers.
The court held that such a ban is essential throughout the year, given the horrible air quality that the national capital is facing.
