Firecrackers Banned In Delhi, Rajasthan, Odisha, Sikkim And West Bengal; Tamil Nadu Govt Appeals Against Ban As State Houses Fireworks Factories

Firecrackers will be banned in Delhi in view of the persistently high pollution and smog levels Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Twitter. Kejriwal said after reviewing the pandemic situation in Delhi it was found there has been a spike in COVID-19 cases after festivals, such as the recently concluded Durga Puja and Dussehra, and due to air pollution. Air pollution, which can aggravate the health condition of COVID-19 patients, has been on the rise in Delhi due to festivals and stubble burning in neighbouring states. Similarly, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on November 2 said that he has issued directions to ban the sale of firecrackers. Gehlot issued directions to restrict the use of firecrackers to protect COVID-19 patients and the public from their ill-effects. The Odisha government on November 3 banned the sale and use of firecrackers from November 10-30. Sikkim has become the first state in Northeast India to order a blanket ban on the sale and use of any type of firecracker in the state during this festive season. The Calcutta High Court has banned the use of firecrackers in West Bengal on Diwali, Kali Puja and Chatt Puja in view of the coronavirus pandemic that has gripped the world. Meanwhile, firework industry workers attached to the Virudhanagar district & matchbox workers association of the CITU will carry out protests on November 6. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on November 5 requested his Rajasthan and Odisha counterparts to revoke the ban on the sale and use of firecrackers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 06, 2020 12:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).