Police accused of not acting against those selling and bursting harmful crackers; CPCB seeks report on why Supreme Court order was not followed
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) asked Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to furnish a report for non-compliance of Supreme Court orders on the cracker ban as rampant violation on Diwali triggered a peak in pollution level in the Capital.
The worsening of air quality was attributed to burning of crackers in Delhi and National Capital Region. CPCB chairperson S P Singh Parihar has in his letter dated November 9 stated that it has been reported that fire crackers other than those permitted by the apex court were sold and burst on Diwali. "The above status indicates non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," the letter said. "Direction is hereby issued to Commissioner of Police, Delhi to submit report on action taken to prevent sale of unauthorised fire crackers in Gautam Buddh district along with reason for non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," it said.
CPCB said that air quality in Delhi was adversely impacted due to bursting of fire crackers on November 7.
A similar communication has been sent to the authorities in Noida where the ban was defied brazenly. The authorities are to submit a report within a week.
The Supreme Court had in a recent ruling allowed people to burst environment-friendly firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali. The green crackers have low-emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.
According to available evidence there is no certificate given for production of reduced emissions crackers, CPCB pointed out. Despite the Delhi Police claiming to take measures to ensure that there is no violation, Delhiites flouted the ban.
The police seized more than 2000 kg of crackers in the run up to Diwali but this was not enough to rein in the violators.
The Delhi police said it registered around 579 cases under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience of order) and arrested 310 people for violating the Supreme Court's order. The arrested were later granted bail. Legal action was taken against 24 juveniles under the provisions of the Juvenile Act for not abiding by the top court's direction.
FIREWORKS
- CPCB alleged that air quality in Delhi was adversely impacted due to bursting of crackers on Nov 7
- Police seized over 2,000 kg of crackers in the run up to Diwali and registered 579 cases under section 188 of IPC and arrested 310 people for violating SC order
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