POLLUTION

Supreme Court Extends Nationwide Firecracker Restrictions and Urges States to Control Air and Noise Pollution

File photo. (A Moeed Faruqui/BCCL Bhopal) — File photo.
(A Moeed Faruqui/BCCL Bhopal)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that the directions issued by it against bursting of firecrackers were not just for Delhi-NCR but for also all states.

The court further directed the state governments to take appropriate steps to control air/noise pollution.

The bench of Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice M.M. Sundresh was hearing a batch of petitions filed seeking a ban on the sale, purchase and use of firecrackers in India.

This petitioner had filed the plea for the state of Rajasthan seeking orders from the top court to direct implementation of the previous orders.

"There seems to be a perception that your lordship's order applies only to Delhi-NCR, though it is applicable throughout the country," the petitioner told the court.

While hearing the case, Justice Sundresh observed that there was a wrong perception that it was only the duty of the court when it comes to environmental matters

The court said that its earlier order must be taken note of by the state of Rajasthan. And the states must take steps to minimise air pollution, especially during the festival season. The key is to sensitise people, the court said.

In 2018, the apex court imposed a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers and later stated that the restrictions would continue and shall be duly enforced.

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The above article has been published from a wire agency with minimal modifications to the headline and text.

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