The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi, marking the first allowance since a comprehensive ban was implemented in 2020. This decision comes as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recently surpassed 300, indicating poor air quality.
The ruling clarifies that states possess the authority to allow firecrackers based on prevailing air quality conditions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs the Centre, had previously committed to significant reductions in Delhi’s PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2025 and launched a “Delhi Clean Air Mission” to improve average AQI by 2030, with leaders like Union Minister Nitin Gadkari campaigning on promises of cleaner air.
Enforcement responsibility for the Supreme Court’s conditional allowance now rests with the Delhi Police, an agency that reports to the BJP-led Central government. Their actions regarding the crackdown on illegal stockpiles, verification of PESO-certified supplies, and adherence to strict bursting hours are expected to be critical in determining Delhi’s air quality following the festive period.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/is-delhi-bjp-govt-playing-with-fire-on-crackers-the-test-comes-tomorrow-10316434/