After Delhi, Chhattisgarh bans loud crackers

Bhopal: It appears the coming Diwali will not be same in two BJP-ruled states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. While Chhattisgarh is set to celebrate a “noise-free” Diwali, MP appears to be gearing up for a high decibel celebration of the festival of lights this year.

This was evident as the Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday announced a ban on use of firecrackers with high decibels and those contributing to air pollution. Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board chairman Aman Kumar Singh has directed all divisional commissioners, district collectors and superintendents of police in the state to enforce ban on sale and use of high decibel firecrackers in their respective areas this Diwali. Bursting of firecrackers has also been banned within 100 metres of hospitals, schools and religious places in Chhattisgarh.

Earlier, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh had appealed to the people not to use firecrackers of high decibels and decorative lights, made in China, during the festival.

Interestingly, Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh on Tuesday created a flutter in the ruling BJP circle by inviting ‘Diwali” revellers of Delhi to come to MP to celebrate the festival of light by bursting firecrackers of all kinds. In a tweet, he said those who wanted to enjoy a noisy Diwali should come to MP and burst firecrackers of all kinds. 

On Monday, the Supreme Court had banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November 1. He apparently sounded sympathetic to people of Delhi in the wake of Supreme Court directive to ban sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November one.