New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today said the government, respecting the sentiments of the residents of the national capital, will request the Supreme Court to grant permission for the use of certified green crackers during the upcoming Diwali festivities.
Gupta, while replying to a question while speaking to reporters at the secretariat on Monday, said that the government believes that there must be a balance between environment protection and public sentiments.
Gupta said that she feels that the public should get the permission, be it in the form of green crackers, so that they can celebrate the festival with enthusiasm, and accordingly the government will express in writing its intention, that it is responsible for the pollution control, and will abide by its responsibility.
She said that the objective of this initiative is to further strengthen the government’s commitment towards controlling pollution, while also respecting the traditions and sentiments of the people.
CM said that it will also ensure that all green firecrackers are manufactured only by authorized institutions, and certified and tested by competent and concerned departments.
She reiterated that the Delhi government is fully committed to environmental protection and pollution control, adding that the apex court will be assured that the government will fully comply with its directions and standards.
Gupta said that the government’s aim is to ensure that the festivities are full of happiness, while the environment also stays safe and clean.
The CM has said that Diwali is the most significant festival in the country’s culture, deeply rooted in the emotions of the people.
She added that based on past experience, a complete ban on firecrackers has not yielded the desired results, and despite restrictions, violations have continued, which led to the use of highly polluting firecrackers and worsened Delhi’s air quality.
Therefore, the government wishes to allow the use of green firecrackers in the city.
She also reaffirmed that the Delhi government remains unwavering in its commitment to environmental protection and will assure full cooperation with the central government and the SC to implement any directions issued in this regard.
Gupta also mentioned that allowing green crackers would also help the city’s economy, with regard to the small traders, while art and culture will also flourish together.
Presently, due to the pollution issue there has been a ban on firecrackers since a while, and it is said that if effective anti- pollution measures had been taken during the past, such a situation could have been avoided.
During the past, due to lack of a proper system for identification, certification, and distribution of green firecrackers in the national capital, the complete ban on the use continued.
