In a bid to ‘combat air pollution’ during the upcoming winter season, the Delhi government led by the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to ban the production, sale, and usage of firecrackers in the national capital.
According to Environment Minister Gopal Rai, the ban extends to the internet sale and distribution of firecrackers. “The ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers will remain in force till January 1, 2025,” Rai said in the statement.
An action plan will be developed in consultation with the Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the Revenue Department to firmly enforce the ban, he added. As per the reports, this is part of the Delhi government’s winter action plan to ‘control pollution’, which consists of 21 emphasis points.
Delhi govt bans production, storage, sale and use of firecrackers till January 1 to combat air pollution: Environment Minister Gopal Rai
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2024
It is important to note that the hazardous air of Delhi has always been a concern for which the AAP government has always chosen to blame the Hindu festival of Diwali despite research proving that it is the stubble burning from neighboring states, primarily Punjab in recent years, that is behind the bad air quality in the national capital in winter months. The government has a year-after-year imposed bans on the sale and production of the firecrackers. However, the air quality in Delhi has had no effect.
As reported in January this year, the air quality of Delhi slipped to a ‘severe’ condition even after the state imposed a ban on firecrackers weeks before Diwali 2023. Gopal Rai while imposing the ban had said that people should avoid bursting crackers on the Hindu festival as it would make it difficult for everyone to breathe. Even while wishing people on the occasion of Diwali from his X handle, he urged people to take a ‘pledge’ not to burst firecrackers.
Notably, the government has been giving a clean chit to the stubble burning in AAP-ruled Punjab which is majorly responsible for Delhi’s poor air quality.
The emphasis on banning firecrackers and attributing pollution entirely to Diwali appears to be political laziness and an inability to impose constructive policy changes. Instead of blaming a 1-day festival, the govt needs to emphasize on a more comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of pollution.
