NEW DELHI: Anybody bursting firecrackers in Delhi till January 1 can be fined Rs 200 and jailed for up to six months, the state government announced on Wednesday. Sale, storage and production of firecrackers will attract a penalty of Rs 5,000 and up to 3 years’ jail under Section 9B of Explosives Act, environment minister Gopal Rai said. Rai also said 188 cases of violations had been detected and 2,917 kg firecrackers seized till October 16. Reiterating an earlier order, the minister pointed out that the ban on firecrackers would continue till January 1 to control air pollution in winter. On September 7, the Delhi government announced a total ban on all types of firecrackers, including the green variety. On September 30, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a 15-point winter action plan. Under it, 1,800 teams have been formed, out of which 408 are meant to implement the ban, including 210 under assistant commissioners of police, 165 of revenue department and 33 of Delhi Pollution Control Committee. In the past two years, too, the ban was imposed at different levels, but with limited effects. The government will launch a public awareness campaign, Diye Jalao Patakhe Nahi, on Friday, which will be marked by lighting 51,000 lamps at the Central Park in Connaught Place. The air pollution level in the national capital rises every winter, especially around Diwali, Rai pointed out, referring to Delhi’s plight due to air pollution in recent times. “The major reason is the bursting of firecrackers. Emissions from firecrackers are extremely dangerous, especially for children, women and elderly people. Therefore, the Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers this year, too. The ban even covers their online delivery,” he added. The minister also urged Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav to ensure that the ban is strictly implemented in the entire national capital region (NCR). “The smoke from firecrackers burst in the region impacts the people in Delhi too,” Rai said. Last year, both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh imposed restrictions in the NCR districts.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/diwali-fireworks-can-land-you-in-jail-for-6-mths/articleshow/94973332.cms
