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Diwali 2020: List of states, UTs which have banned sale and bursting of firecrackers

The NGT had issued notices to 23 states and Union territories regarding the imposition of a ban on firecrackers in a bid to protect the health of the vulnerable groups amidst the double whammy of pollution crisis.

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While India gets ready to celebrate the colour of lights Deepawali, several states and Union Territories have imposed a ban on firecrackers and its sale in the event of increased air pollution and coronavirus crisis in the country.

The National Green Tribunal on Monday imposed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region from midnight of November 9 to midnight of November 30.

Only green crackers can be sold in cities or towns where air quality is "moderate" or below, and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas eve, the NGT had said.

If the timing was not specified by the states concerned, green crackers will be allowed in cities with "moderate" air quality and below, from 8 to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurab, 6 am to 8 am on Chhath and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am during Christmas and New year eve.

So far, a total of 13 states have imposed a ban on firecrackers:

Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 5 announced the ban on the use of firecrackers in the national capital after reviewing the situation. "Coronavirus cases have increased due to the festival season and pollution. It was decided to ban crackers in Delhi and ramp up medical infrastructure, among other measures," he said.

Kejriwal also appealed to people to not use firecrackers this Diwali for the safety of their kids and family.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday imposed a blanket ban on the sale and use of all types of firecrackers this Diwali, starting from November 10 midnight to November 30-December 1 midnight.

The government also said that the order will be reviewed after the completion of this time period.

However, the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state has also said that only green firecrackers can be sold and used in the districts with 'moderate' or better air quality.

Bihar

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board on Friday put a complete ban on the sale or use of firecrackers in Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya, abiding by the National Green Tribunals (NGT) directive for maintaining ambient air quality in all cities and towns where it was "poor or worse".

Maharashtra

Maharashtra government on November 6 issued guidelines for the citizens to keep in mind while celebrating Diwali. The government urged the people to not burst crackers during Diwali as it damages the environment and adds to air pollution and noise pollution. 

Mumbai's civic body, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers at public places during Diwali in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the city.

Telangana

The Supreme Court on Friday modified the Telangana High Court order and granted partial relief to Telangana Fire Works Dealers Association (TFWDA) allowing the sale and bursting of green crackers for two hours during Diwali.

Chandigarh

Listed as a non-attainment city, the Chandigarh administration on Thursday decided to continue the ban on crackers.

Rejecting the review petition to lift the cracker ban by traders, Advisor Manoj Parida passed the order to ban the crackers under the Disaster Management Act of 2005.

The Central Pollution Control Board has notified this city as one of the non-attainment cities, or those whose air quality is worse than the prescribed standards.

West Bengal

The Calcutta High Court on November 5 ordered a ban on bursting and sale of all kinds of crackers or fireworks for Kali Puja, Diwali, and Chhatpuja in West Bengal.

Odisha

On November 3, the Odisha government had passed an order banning the sale and use of firecrackers across the state during the festive season to check air pollution which can create serious problems for COVID-19 patients. According to the government's order, the ban will remain in place from November 10 to 30.

"Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws," the order said.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was the first to announce the ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali this year. On November 2, Gehlot tweeted, "State govt has taken the decision to ban the sale and bursting of firecrackers in order to protect the health of COVID-19 infected patients & public from poisonous smoke emanating due to fireworks. In this challenging corona pandemic time, protecting the lives of people is paramount for govt."

Sikkim

Due to the onset of a pandemic, the Sikkim government has imposed a complete ban on firecrackers throughout the state until further notice is given.

Chandigarh

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has also issued a ban on selling and bursting of firecrackers of all types with immediate effect.

Haryana

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Monday that relaxation of two hours from 8 pm would be given to bursting crackers on Diwali.

The Chief Minister said in a statement that the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have given permission to burst crackers for a limited time period due to increasing pollution in Delhi.

Karnataka

On November 6, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced the ban on the use of firecrackers in the state, adding that a formal order in this regard will be issued soon. 

However, hours after the CM's announcement, the Karnataka government announced that the sale and bursting of 'green crackers', as per Supreme Court guidelines, will be allowed in the state during Deepavali.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued notices to 23 states and Union territories regarding the imposition of a ban on firecrackers in a bid to protect the health of the vulnerable groups amidst the double whammy of pollution crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This came two days after the NGT issued a notice to the environment ministry, Delhi police commissioner, governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Central Pollution Control Board and DPCC on whether the firecrackers be banned for some period.

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