CPCB Writes To Noida District Magistrate Over Unauthorised Firecracker Sales

The Central Pollution Control Board has issued a notice to Noida district magistrate over the sale of unauthorized firecrackers despite a Supreme Court ban. The Delhi-NCR recorded its worst air quality in the 'severe' category a day after Diwali. Authorities attributed the spike in pollution level to the burning of toxic firecrackers.

In a letter, CPCB chairperson S P Singh Parihar said it had been reported that firecrackers other than those permitted by the apex court were sold and burst on Diwali in Gautam Buddh Nagar district.

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 "The above status indicates non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," the letter said. "Direction is hereby issued to a district magistrate to submit a report on action taken to prevent the sale of unauthorized firecrackers in Gautam Buddh district along with the reason for non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," it said.

The pollution control board has sought the report within seven days. Meanwhile, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration asked the city magistrates of Noida and Greater Noida along with all police station heads (SHOs) in the district to submit their action taken report within a week. The Supreme Court had in a recent ruling allowed people to burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. 

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It also allowed the manufacture and sale of just "green crackers" with low-emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals. But despite the court order, certain places recorded violations wherein firecrackers were burnt before and after the set time frame.

"As per the Supreme Court order, the strict implementation of the order is the responsibility of the SHO, city magistrate and deputy collector. In this situation, you are directed to report by November 12 what steps did you take to ensure action against violators of the court's order and under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh said in the letter. 

He also asked the officials to ensure the implementation of the court order, added the letter, a copy of which was sent to district police chief, SHOs and administration officials.