NEW DELHI: Delhi govt on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was in favour of permanent ban on firecrackers and order will soon be passed regarding this as the ban is already in force till Jan 1.
“We will do it permanently,” senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Delhi govt told a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih after it sought to know the stand of NCR states on the issue. The court observed that firecrackers caused not only air but also noise pollution and said it would examine the issue on Dec 19. It directed the other NCR states to file their response before the next date of hearing on imposing a permanent ban on firecrackers in their territories.
“We will consider issuing necessary directions to the state govts on the issue of ban on use of firecrackers. When we refer to ban on use of firecrackers, it will also include ban on manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of firecrackers,” the Court said.
Normally, Delhi govt issues an order banning crackers before Diwali to keep in check the pollution level in the city. But the apex court had earlier said that ban on selling and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers throughout the year in NCR was needed and not only on Diwali as it is the fundamental right of every citizen to live in a pollution free environment and no religion promotes activities which cause pollution.
The court also decided to examine ways to control vehicular pollution in the city and said that electric vehicles should be used for all public transport as well as vehicles used by govt and public sector units and the present vehicles running on fossil fuels could be replaced.
The bench said that Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) should take initiative in enforcing EV vehicles. It directed the commission to collect data on the number of public transport as well as govt and PSU vehicles on Delhi roads and furnish the information before it.
The court said that it will deal with all aspects relating to the pollution crisis in Delhi including stubble burning and would address one-by-one. The court’s push for EVs comes 26-years after it forced clean fuel CNG for public transport and autos in Delhi. The apex court had in 1998 passed an order to ban the use of conventional fuels in taxis, three wheelers and city buses and direct use of CNG.
The court also directed the states to ensure payment to construction workers in NCR who were adversely affected due to the ban on construction work after GRAP 4 was implemented. It directed the states to file a comprehensive affidavit on this aspect by Jan 3.
