Diwali 2022: Delhi cracker ban reinstated, govt imposes heavy jail sentence for bursting firecrackers in capital

Diwali 2022: Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in the national capital will attract jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of Rs 200. Rai made the announcement in a press conference held on October 19.

According to Section 9B of the Explosives Act, production, storage and sale of firecrackers in Delhi will be punishable with a fine of up to Rs 5,000 and three years jail, the minister said.

The city government reinstated its two-year-old policy in September, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and use of any kind of firecrackers until January 1—including Diwali, PTI report.

'Diye Jalao Patakhe Nahi' (light diyas, not firecrackers) is the name of a public awareness campaign that will begin on October 21, according to Rai. It is also worth noting that, the Delhi government will light 51,000 diyas at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday.

Hon’ble Environment Minister Sh. @AapKaGopalRai Addressing an Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/MgY2RNnCzv

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) October 19, 2022

"The purchase and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi will be punishable with a fine of Rs 200 and six months in jail under the Indian Penal Code," the minister said.

According to Rai, 408 teams have been formed to carry out the ban, said PTI.

The Revenue Department has established 165 teams, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee 33, and the Delhi Police 210 teams under assistant commissioners of police.

The minister said 188 cases of violations have been detected and 2,917 kg firecrackers seized till October 16.

The air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas starts worsening in October due to unfavourable meteorological factors such as low temperatures and wind speed, which do not allow dispersion of pollutants, said PTI.

A cocktail of emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning in neighbouring states further dent the air quality.

"Pollution levels rise around Diwali every year. The major reason is the bursting of firecrackers. Emissions from firecrackers are extremely dangerous especially for kids, women and the elderly.

"Therefore, the Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers this year too. The ban covers online delivery of firecrackers," the minister said.

Rai urged Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to ensure the ban on firecrackers is strictly implemented in the entire NCR "as the smoke from firecrackers burst in the region impacts the people in Delhi also".

(With the inputs of PTI)