Despite a ban on the import of Chinese-made firecrackers this Diwali, the sale of such crackers in markets across the Capital is going on unabated. Shopkeepers in areas such as Sadar Bazar, Jama Masjid and Tughlakabad are doing brisk business under wraps even as Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) launched an “anti-firecracker” campaign to stem the illegal sale of banned Chinese crackers.
In a meeting convened by the Environment Ministry to reduce air and noise pollution during the Diwali festival on Thursday, DPCC laid out the condition that the number of licences to shops for sale of firecrackers should not exceed from the previous year. To ensure that the ban on imported firecrackers is implemented, the licensing units of Delhi Police will conduct random checks at godowns, especially against wholesale dealers. While wholesale dealers are hardly found selling them, all kinds of Chinese crackers are being sold in the open, said a Delhi Government official. “Instructions have been given to all districts to restrict the number of licences being given for sale of firecrackers,” said an ACP of the licensing unit of Delhi Police.
For the benefit of customers, Petroleum and Exposure Safety Organisation (PESO) will ensure that detailed information on chemical content and sound level of a firecracker is displayed on cartons. Shopkeepers will not be allowed to sell the fireworks after 10 pm.
Delhi Police licensing unit will specify the condition to shopkeepers before granting licences, the official added.
PCR vans will be in place to ensure compliance with Supreme Court’s order regarding a complete ban on sound emitting fireworks between 10 pm and 6 am on Diwali. DPCC will also display the results of 14 firecracker sound level tests conducted by its air laboratory on the website following which it will send the leftover cracker samples to PESO for action on manufacturers.
The SDMs will organise meetings with RWAs and MTAs to sensitise them about Supreme Court directives regarding complete ban on noisy fireworks between 10 pm and 6 am. DPCC will also monitor air and noise pollution before and after Diwali. The office of Divisional Commissioner will also explore the procurement of noise meters for all the SDMs to enable on-spot noise level monitoring. These instruments can be further used to examine complaints regarding noise pollution.
The Environment Ministry is also planning to create public awareness via print adverts and jingles on radio. Strict action will be taken against violators by designated authorities under section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act 1986. DPCC will constitute at least seven teams to assist Deputy Commissioners as well as visit various areas to check the level of noise pollution. It will also conduct random checks on shops vis-à-vis compliance as per notification of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, 2006.