Six states ban firecrackers during Diwali to battle the double whammy of pollution and covid-19

Last updated on February 20th, 2023 at 01:25 pm

On Thursday, because of the rising Covid cases and air contamination, the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ordered a total ban on the buying, selling, and bursting of firecrackers, including the green crackers during this Diwali. The restriction will be in place from 7 to 30 November, ANI reported. 

Kejriwal requested residents of Delhi to celebrate Diwali by doing Laxmi Puja inside their homes this year. There have been adverse impacts of both Coronavirus and polluted air in Delhi this year, and the toxic air is worsening the coronavirus situation further, he added. 

In 2019, the Delhi Government had organized a laser show in central Delhi’s Connaught Place. CM Kejriwal promised that this year too Delhiites will celebrate the Diwali festival together, however, without firecrackers. We are planning to arrange something new this year for Diwali, Kejriwal added. 

On Friday, India recorded 47,638 new coronavirus cases, which took the nation’s total number of cases to 84,11,724, and 670 new deaths, the death toll now has reached 1,24,985.

With the double whammy of coronavirus and air contamination, various states have banned the bursting of fireworks this Diwali season. While a few states have declared a complete ban, others have just prohibited the utilization of “imported” crackers.

On Monday, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted that his administration has decided to ban the sale and bursting of fireworks to ensure the wellbeing of Covid-19 patients and to protect the general public from inhaling the harmful smog. A fine of Rs 2,000 will be imposed on whoever is found bursting crackers, announced the state government.

On Wednesday, the Sikkim government announced a sweeping ban on fireworks to protect citizens who have recouped from the coronavirus. Recently, the number of Covid-19 cases has reduced. It has been observed that the utilization of fireworks would contaminate the air quality and could impact the Covid-19 patients,” a statement marked by chief secretary SK Gupta stated, The Hindustan Times reported. 

The Odisha government, as well, declared a ban on firecrackers sales, from November 10-30. “Any individual found breaking this order will be punished under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other significant laws, Odisha chief secretary AK Tripathy stated. 

On Friday, Maharashtra gave out rules for controlling the spread of coronavirus during Diwali, encouraging residents to try not to celebrate Diwali indoors and restrict from bursting crackers. On Thursday, the BMC announced a ban and a strict fine on bursting of fireworks at public spots in the city.

Likewise, on Thursday, the Calcutta High Court banned the utilization of fireworks during Diwali and Chhath Puja amid the coronavirus crisis. “The court has ordered a ban sale, purchase, and bursting of firecrackers during Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja in 2020.

While states like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have announced a ban on selling and buying of imported firecrackers this Diwali.

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