Delhi asks Centre to continue ban on Chinese firecrackers

New Delhi, Oct 4: With the usage of Chinese crackers found to be affecting the quality of air in Delhi, the city government has asked the Centre to "continue with its ban" on them this year.

The Arvind Kejriwal government has written to the Customs Department stating that as Chinese firecrackers are harmful to environment, they should not be allowed to enter markets this year as well.

"Chinese fireworks might be a cheaper, but are very harmful to our environment.

In view of this, we have written to the Customs Department asking it to conitnue with its ban on Chinese firecrackers," a senior government official said.

Last year, the Centre had issued a public notification warning importers and public of the legal consequences they would face if involved with such crackers.

Centre had also said that it was "illegal" to sell imported crackers (including Chinese crackers) in retail, since there had been no permit given to anyone to import such crackers.

The official said that ahead of Dussehra and Diwali, people use such fireworks, but government will ensure its strict vigil on their entrance in different markets of the national capital.

According to the government, it will also run campaign to make people and school students aware about the harm caused by Chinese crackers.

"We will soon give ads in newspapers to make aware the masses so that they only buy crackers which work as per prescribed standard.

Government will also approach school authorities to aware students about harmful firecrackers," official said, adding that 'Eco Clubs' of schools will also be involved in this campaign.

Last week, in an attempt to ensure pollution-free environment, three children through their fathers moved the Supreme Court against the use of loud firecrackers during the festival of Diwali and Dussehra.

The petition, filed by the fathers of three children between the age of six and 14 months, stressed on their right to be brought up in a pollution-free environment and sought that government agencies be restrained from issuing licence for sale of crackers in the national capital.

PTI