SC asks Delhi govt how ban on bursting firecrackers was flouted during Diwali

New Delhi [India], November 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government as to how the ban on bursting firecrackers in the national capital to curb air pollution was flouted during Diwali celebrations.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit on the steps taken to ensure that pollution is tackled and to enforce the firecracker ban in the city.
The bench observed that there are widespread reports in newspapers that the ban on firecrackers was not implemented and said it wanted the Delhi government to immediately respond as to why the firecrackers ban was hardly implemented.
"We want the Delhi government to immediately respond as to why this has happened. We will simultaneously issue notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner as to why there is non-compliance. We have to hear this immediately. The real problem is that this is all under the Air Prevention Act, 1981, which after amendment this year, has only penalty provisions," observed the bench.
It further directed the Delhi government and the Police Commissioner of Delhi to file affidavits highlighting what steps they propose to take so that this thing does not happen next year.
The bench also asked the Delhi government to consider implementing a perpetual firecracker ban in the national capital.
"The affidavit by Delhi government and Police Commissioner to be filed in one week... In the meanwhile, Delhi government and other authorities must also take a call on the perpetual ban of these firecrackers," it ordered.
It also sought affidavits from the governments of Haryana and Punjab indicating the number of incidents of stubble burning during the last ten days of October.
The top court was hearing a plea concerning air pollution in and around the national capital.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave also told the bench b that there was absolute non-compliance with firecrackers restrictions during Diwali this year and added that there is a report suggesting a huge increase in air pollution on the day of Diwali, with the pollution percentage rising from 10 per cent to 27 per cent. (ANI)