New Delhi: Observing that the air quality is very grave, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region until further orders.
A Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices A.K. Sikri and S.A. Bobde, passed this order on a petition filed by three infants of Delhi through their parents on the ground that the air quality level during Diwali due to bursting of fire crackers is affecting their right to life.
The bench directed the Centre not to renew the existing licences for storing and sale of fire crackers and said no fresh licences will be given to them.
The bench said the rules provide for suspension of licences if there is a grave situation and “keeping the present grave air quality in mind, we can intervene to suspend the licence.”
The bench asked the Central Pollution Control Board to submit a report in three months whether the materials used in the manufacture of crackers are carcinogenic causing cancer. It said that based on the report if the court finds that the materials cause cancer then it can consider imposing certain restrictions on manufacture of crackers.
The children in their petition claimed that the smog caused by firecrackers post Diwali celebrations were choking their right to live. The petition highlighted the disdain shown by people to the affected ones as the pollution graph climbs without cease.
These three toddlers wanted a clean and healthy environment contending that the right to breathe clean air is essential for a conducive environment for their growth and development.
They said, “Delhi has been the most polluted city in the world for over 18 months and health related illnesses primarily target the youngest of its citizens.”
