Let Us Breathe Clean Air, Spend Your Money On Sweets,' says the Supreme Court denying an urgent hearing on cracker ban
The Supreme Court on Monday turned down an urgent hearing on a petition filed by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari challenging the Delhi government's decision to prohibit the sale, purchase, and use of firecrackers during the festive season. The Supreme Court rejected the request for an urgent hearing, saying, "Let people breathe clean air, spend your money on sweets.”
According to the news agency PTI, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday that bursting firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi will result in a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 200.
During a press conference, he stated that under Section 9B of the Explosives Act, the production, storage, and sale of firecrackers in the national capital will be punishable by a fine of up to Rs 5,000 and three years in prison.
"Under the Indian Penal Code, the purchase and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi will be punishable by a fine of 200 and six months in jail" (IPC). Manufacturing, storing, and selling firecrackers in Delhi is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 and three years in prison," Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.
The Aam Aadmi Party-led government reinstated a total ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers until January 1, including on Diwali, a practise it had followed for the previous two years.
On October 21, Rai plans to launch a public awareness campaign called "Diye Jalao Patakhe Nahi."
On Friday, the Delhi government will light 51,000 diyas in Central Park in Connaught Place.
"Under the Indian Penal Code, the purchase and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi will be punishable by a Rs 200 fine and six months in jail," the minister said.
Rai stated that 408 teams have been formed to carry out the ban. The Delhi Police has formed 210 teams led by assistant commissioners, the Revenue Department has formed 165 teams, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has formed 33 teams.
According to the minister, 188 cases of infringement have been detected and 2,917 kg of firecrackers have been seized as of October 16.