Supreme Court says Delhi-NCR firecracker ban should be extended across country

The Supreme Court on Friday verbally observed that there was a need to explore a ban on firecrackers across India, not just in the National Capital Region, Live Law reported.

The bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran made the comment while hearing pleas filed by firecracker traders challenging the year-long ban on the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi and adjoining areas that form the National Capital Region, Bar and Bench reported.

Amicus Curiae K Parameshwar told the court that a ban for the period between October and February would have been justified, a blanket ban on the manufacturing and sale of firecrackers would hurt the livelihood of several workers, Live Law reported.

In response, the bench verbally said that citizens across the country were equally entitled to clean air, and measures to improve air quality cannot be considered a privilege limited only to the national capital, according to Bar and Bench.

Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi, which is often ranked the world’s most polluted capital. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, along with falling temperatures, decreased wind speeds and emissions from industries and coal-fired plants contribute to the problem.

“Just because this is the capital city or the Supreme Court is situated in this area, it should not mean only they [people...

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