Haryana has banned the sale and use of firecrackers in 14 districts near Delhi days before the big festival of Diwali, the state government said today in a notification. Online shopping sites too cannot make any sales of such nature.
The state government noted that bursting crackers can adversely affect the respiratory health of vulnerable groups, besides aggravating health condition of COVID-19 positive persons in home isolation. It also cited rulings of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court for the move.
The 14 districts where sale and bursting of crackers is banned are: Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak and Sonipat.
Online shopping sites too cannot make any sales of such nature, the state government notification said in view of worsening air pollution.
In view of worsening air pollution, the state government further extended the ban on crackers to towns and cities where the air quality is poor.
On Diwali, the firecrackers can be burst only between 8 pm to 10 pm, the Haryana government said.
In rest of the districts, only green crackers have been allowed to be sold and used.
Last month, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had announced a “complete ban” on sale and bursting of all forms of firecrackers in the city till January 1, 2022. The development came amid deteriorating air quality in the national capital.
Meanwhile, over 50 licensed traders approached the Delhi High Court on Saturday, seeking leave to sell green firecrackers ahead of Diwali after the Supreme Court said it has not imposed a blanket ban on the sale of fireworks.
