Complete Ban on Firecrackers

• 21 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

• Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to impose a complete ban on firecrackers in National Capital Region (NCR) areas until further orders. 

 Key Points 

• Call for Complete Ban: 
  • The SC directed the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to clarify their stance on imposing a year-round firecracker ban in the National Capital Region (NCR). 
  • The court emphasized the need for the ban to address both air pollution and noise pollution. 
• Current Status and Measures: 
  • A complete ban on firecrackers currently applies only around Diwali and New Year. 
  • Delhi has enforced a year-round ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and online delivery of firecrackers. 
  • Rajasthan has also imposed a similar ban in areas falling under the NCR. 
• Enforcement of Anti-Pollution Measures: 
  • The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 was enforced in Delhi-NCR due to worsening air quality. 
    • NCR states were directed to form teams of officials to ensure strict adherence to GRAP measures. 
  • These teams will function as officers of the Supreme Court, reporting compliance and breaches to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). 

 Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 

• The GRAP consists of emergency measures designed to prevent the deterioration of air quality after reaching specific thresholds in the Delhi-NCR region. 
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified the GRAP in 2017. 
• Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) implements the GRAP.