SAS Nagar :
In the wake of the upcoming festive season of Diwali, Gurupurab, Christmas and New Year Eve, that are observed by the people usually with the bursting of crackers, which further can adversely affect the respiratory health of vulnerable group and elderly people etc., the District Magistrate Mrs Aashika Jain has issued orders to regulate Sale and Use of Green Fire crackers and timing of bursting crackers on these respective days.
Divulging details, Assistant Commissioner (G) Harjot Kaur Mavi said that keeping in view the orders dated 23.10.2018 and 31.10.2018 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 728 of 2015, the Order dated 9.11.2020 passed by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal in O.A. No. 249 of 2020 and other connected matters, the Government of Punjab in exercise of the powers delegated by the Central Government u/s 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has prohibited, restricted and regulated the sale and use of fire crackers in the State of Punjab by issuing certain directions.
Therefore, in view of the above and in exercise of powers under Explosive Rules 2008, it is hereby ordered that:
a) The manufacturing, stocking, distribution, sale and use of joined fire crackers (series crackers or laries) is hereby banned in the district;
b) Only the green crackers (those crackers that do not use barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate) would be allowed for sale and use in the district;
c) The Sale shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that the licensed traders are selling the fire crackers which are permitted. No licensee shall store, display or sell joined firecrackers (series of crackers or laries) and firecrackers that use barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate in the manufacture of fireworks.
d) Only green crackers would be allowed to be burnt strictly for a very short duration on the following days and time:
Diwali, 12 November, 2023, From 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Gurpurab, 27 November, 2023, From 4.00 am to 5.00 am and from 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Christmas eve, 25-26 December, 2023 From 11.55 pm till 12.30 am
New Year eve, 31 December, 2023 to 01 January, 2024 From 11.55 pm till 12.30 amBesides, an endeavor shall be made to explore the possibility of community fire cracking. SDMs shall ensure pre-identification and pre-designation of particular area/fields for community fire cracking, and the same shall be publicized for information of the public at large. Apart from that No e-commerce websites including Flipkart, Amazon, etc. shall be allowed to accept any online orders and effect online sales within the district. Extensive public awareness campaigns shall be undertaken by all departments including XEN, PPCB, MC Mohali and all Municipal Councils, DDPO and BDPOs for informing the public about the harmful effects of fire crackers. She further said that SSP Mohali shall ensure that the sale and use of only allowed green fire crackers takes place during the permitted time and at designated places. Similarly, XEN, PPCB Mohali shall carry out short term monitoring in all parts of the district as per CPCB guidelines. Besides XEN, PPCB, Commissioner, Municipal Coporation Mohali and EOs of all Municipal Councils/Committee in the urban areas, and BDPOs in rural areas shall undertake special precautions after taking into account Ambient Air Quality of the concerned area whining the district. She further added that the permanent & temporary license holders to sale of crackers shall also ensure meticulous compliance of these orders.Any violation of the directions aforementioned will invite immediate penal action under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other provisions as applicable.
