The new order is issued by the High Court regarding firecrackers due to Corona pandemic. The Court banned the use of fireworks this Diwali in West Bengal. In its order the court said that the selling and bursting of firecrackers is prohibited this year in West Bengal.
“It is evident that there has been an endeavor on the part of the State to protect the air quality so that the respiratory problems that arise as a result of the infection are not aggravated because of the noxious fumes brought about by the use of firecrackers.” The court held.
A division bench of Justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee while hearing the two public interest litigations observed that “keeping firecrackers in view of the corona virus outbreak could be harmful to the environment and infected patients. In such a situation, the ban on firecrackers will also be applicable during Jagadhatri Puja, Chhath and Karthik Puja”. And if the court order is violated legal actions can be taken against the violators.
The court said on the issue raised by the fireworks association, “For the greater good, a small number of persons involved in the firecracker business may have to suffer losses. The overwhelming public interest cannot be compromised.”
The guidelines issued during the Durga Puja such as not entering into the pandals will also apply during the Kali puja, the court mentioned.
Before Kolkata, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while talking about the problem of corona and air pollution, appealed people of Delhi, to celebrate Diwali but not firecrackers. Since corona is respiratory disease, increasing pollution may increase the risk of corona, as the pollution level of Delhi has suddenly increased due to onset of winters, Kejriwal added.