Blitz Bureau
A Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Abhay S Oka pulled up the Delhi Government for not implementing the firecrackers ban Remarking that the ban on firecrackers was hardly implemented in the national Capital, the court on November 4 called for an affidavit from the Delhi Government and Police Commissioner detailing the steps taken to enforce the same.
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) relating to the control of air pollution, the Bench said, “There are widespread reports in newspapers that the ban on firecrackers was not implemented. We want the Delhi government to immediately explain as to why this has happened. We will also issue a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner for non-compliance?” The Bench, also comprising Justice AG Masih said, “The affidavit must also state about instances of fire which have happened during this time within the limits of Delhi. In the meanwhile, Delhi Government and other authorities must also take a call on perpetual ban on firecrackers.”
Further, the apex court asked the states of Punjab and Haryana to file an affidavit detailing the status of stubble burning within their jurisdictions in the last 10 days of October. In the course of the hearing, the amicus curiae, assisting the top court, pointed out that the pollution level on Diwali night was relatively higher in comparison to the past two years. The matter will be heard next on November 14
