In a bid to tackle the annual issue of deteriorating air quality that peaks this time of the year, the Delhi government on Wednesday put out a warning that those found purchasing and bursting firecrackers in the city can be punished with a and jail time.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the government was prepared to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the city this Diwali, adding that teams have been set up to keep a tab on violators.

While those found purchasing and bursting crackers can invite a fine of Rs 200 and face up to six months in jail, those involved in manufacturing, storing, and selling firecrackers in the city could be fined up to Rs 5,000 and be jailed for three years. Diwali is on October 24.

Delhi, a city of about 20 million, sees the peak of toxic air quality during this time of the year, the onset of winters, when the deteriorating air quality is pushed to worse with stubble burning and Diwali, a festival celebrated using firecrackers.

To impose the ban on firecrackers, the minister said that 408 teams had been formed. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said that the Delhi Police has formed 210 teams, each of which will be spearheaded by an officer of the ACP (assistant commissioner of police) rank. The revenue department, meanwhile, has formed 165 teams and there are 33 teams under the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). These teams consist of a total of 1,279 personnel and all those who violate the ban by selling, manufacturing or storing firecrackers will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and be imprisoned for three years as per Section 9(b) of the Explosive Act, Rai added.

Similarly, those who purchase and burn the crackers illegally, will be prosecuted under Section 268 of IPC (public nuisance), which stipulates a fine of Rs 200 and imprisonment for 6 months,” Rai said.

Notably, on September 7 this year, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal announced the re-imposition of a ban on manufacturing, selling, storing, and bursting firecrackers till January 1, including Diwali and other festivals.

A program will be launched by the Delhi government to raise “awareness” among the public of the name ‘Diya Jalao Patakhe Nahi’ on October 21. The government is planning to light 51,000 diyas or earthen lamps at Central Park in Connaught Place.

Interestingly, 188 cases of violations have already been registered in Delhi, and the government has seized over 2,900 KG of firecrackers till October 16.

BJP called it an anti-Hindu move

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In a tweet, he wrote, “Kejriwal is Anti Hindu, first, he banned Chath Pooja at Yamuna Ji, then he banned Crackers in Ravan Dahan, now he is trying to Ban Crackers in Diwali. He also protested against Ram Mandir and supported Batla House Terrorists.”

Terming Kejriwal “anti-Hindu", Bagga said on Thursday that the Delhi chief minister “has a problem with Diwali and not with firecrackers".

If Hindus burn crackers on Diwali, there will be pollution, @ArvindKejriwal will send them to jail, but if the firecrackers are burnt in the joy of becoming a minister of Kejriwal, oxygen will come out of it [firecrackers].  Kejriwal your anti-Hindu face has been exposed yet again. You have a problem with Diwali, not from firecrackers," Bagga said in his tweet.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari had approached Supreme Court against the ban on firecrackers. However, the apex court denied any relief. OpIndia tried reaching out to Tiwari for comment but could not connect.

Air pollution levels across the National Capital Region (NCR) are expected to deteriorate in the coming three days, compelling the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to enforce Stage-2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi with immediate effect.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) currently remains at the lower end of the ‘Poor’ category with fine particles (size < 2.5 micrometers) contributing nearly 42% to PM10. However, as per the early warning forecast issued by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, it is most likely to cross the 300-mark (Very Poor) levels on October 22.

Starting Wednesday, a 12-point action plan under Stage 2 came into effect in the entire NCR, which includes steps to be implemented by the Pollution Control Boards of the region and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

GRAP 2 in Delhi for the next 3 days

In order to control the situation from worsening further, Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been enforced in addition to the restrictive measures already imposed under Stage-1. Under GRAP 2, daily mechanical/vacuum-based sweeping of roads would be carried out along with water sprinkling and use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day) in hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.

This also includes regular inspection and strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites. Construction sites would be required to use anti-smog guns.

Hotels, restaurants, and open eateries have been directed to not allow coal/firewood burning including in tandoors, and ensure the use of electricity/clean fuel gas-based appliances. State governments were directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of generator sets, and stop the use of diesel generators except for emergent and essential services.

References:

news18.com