Maharashtra to ban sale of firecrackers? Environment Min Ramdas Kadam to speak to CM Fadnavis

A day after the Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR region till November 1, Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said that he will request for the same to be done in the state.

"I will talk to CM Devendra Fadnavis and request if we can also ban crackers in Maharashtra on lines of the Supreme Court order for Delhi," reported ANI quoting Ramdas Kadam.

Dealing a body blow to traders and businessmen ahead of Diwali, the apex court said its last month's order, temporarily lifting the stay and permitting sale of firecrackers, would be made effective only from November one, 12 days after the 'festival of lights'.

Diwali is on October 19 and the SC order effectively means that no firecrackers will be available for purchase before the festival. 

The immediate effect of the order was also made clear by the top court which ordered 'forthwith' suspension of temporary licences issued by the police for sale of firecrackers pursuant to the order of September 12.

Writer Chetan Bhagat had expressed his disagreement with the Supreme Court's order saying,  banning crackers on Diwali is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas and goats on Bakr-Eid.

"Regulate. Don't ban. Respect traditions," he tweeted.