Telangana High Court on 12.11.2020 directed the state government to ban the sale and use of firecrackers for the rest of the year due to the immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brief Facts
According to the Union Health Ministry, 17,323 active cases are currently there in Telangana. Among them, 2,35,950 are recovered and 1,393 deaths have been reported from the state so far. Burning crackers will increase air pollution and the risk of infection will also increase. Some other states/union territories like Delhi, Karnataka, Chandigarh, and Odisha, while Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh have banned firecrackers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have allowed the selective use of ”green” firecrackers for a few hours.
Advocate P Indra Prakash filed a PIL by seeking a direction for banning the sale and use of firecrackers or fireworks by the people during the Diwali festival across Telangana.
Contention of the Petitioner
The petitioner contended that the pollution from the crackers would escalate the spread of Covid-19. For that reason, many other states have banned firecrackers. The petitioner said that according to a report by Hindustan Times.
Observation of the Court
The division bench was headed by Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan. The bench also consisted of Justice B Vijaysen Reddy.
The Court considered the fact contended by the petitioner. The Court observed that the lives of the people need to be protected. The uncontrolled and untrammelled use of fireworks may jeopardize the lives of many.
Order of the Court
The Bench ordered the state government to immediately clamp down and close the shops which are selling fireworks throughout the state. The Court also asked the state government to publicize content on the ill-effects of bursting firecrackers during the pandemic through digital and print media. The Court further asked the state government to inform it about the steps taken by the government for implementing these directions on November 19.
Click here for the judgment.
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