NGT Sends Notice To Centre, 4 States On Plea Seeking Ban On Firecrackers

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday issued a notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and four state governments on the ban on the use of firecrackers from November 7 to 30.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel has sought responses from the environment ministry, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Police Commissioner and governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan, reported The Hindustan Times (HT).

The NGT also designated senior advocate Raj Panjwani and advocate Shibhani Ghosh to assist it as amicus curiae in the matter.

The bench was hearing a plea by Indian Social Responsibility Network, filed through Santosh Gupta, seeking action against pollution by use of firecrackers in NCR which is already witnessing severely poor air quality, PTI reported.

The application cited Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and the Health Minister of Delhi Satyendar Jain who had warned that during the festive season there will be a rise of COVID-19 cases due to air pollution, PTI stated.

“Increased pollution may further affect vulnerable groups and increase the fatality rate. COVID-19 cases in Delhi may go up to 15,000 per day, as against the current cases of about 5,000 per day. The use of green crackers will not remedy the situation. The smoke will choke and may create a gas chamber like situation. It will lead to poor visibility, hazy conditions and asphyxia,” the plea claimed.