The Delhi government will kick off a “Patakhe nahin, diya jalao” drive
on 27 October to create awareness among people about the harmful
effects of bursting crackers.
Announcing this at a press conference on Monday, Delhi Environment
Minister Gopal Rai said 15 teams comprising 157 members in all would
be constituted not only to make people aware of the threat to their
health posed by firecrackers but also to monitor the sale, purchase
and use of such items.
He pointed out that the anti-firecrackers campaign was essential
keeping in view the reports received by the government that the sale
and purchase of fireworks was going on despite the fact that this year
no licence had been issued to anyone for this purpose.
Rai declared, “Anyone found indulging in bursting of firecrackers will
be hauled up under the Explosives Act. Cases have already been
registered against eight such people.”
He also held a meeting in this regard with officials of the Delhi
Police and the Environment Department today.
The Delhi government had banned the manufacturing, sale and use of
firecrackers on 15 September through an announcement made by Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Imposing the ban, Kejriwal had said that the
step was essential to save human lives.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) also ordered a complete ban on
the sale and use of firecrackers in the city till 1 January, 2022.
Ends