India / Madhya Pradesh bans firecrackers with images of gods and goddesses

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday banned the sale and usage of firecrackers that are made in China or any other countries in the state.

The move was aimed at the initiative to support local products. It encourages people to buy products made in India, and support the `vocal for local' campaign in its move towards  Aatmnirbhar Bharat.

The order was issued by the State Home Department, criminalising the sale of foreign firecrackers without a license.

The government this year wants to encourage people to buy earthen lamps during Diwali, to help sustain the pottery industry in India.

Under the Explosives Act, people can get a 2-year prison sentence for sale, storage, and transportation of illegal firecrackers.

The Director-General, Foreign Trade (DGFT) has informed that no license has been issued for the import of foreign or Chinese firecrackers. So, storage, transport and sale of such products are completely banned, the order said.

Meanwhile, considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning firecrackers amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation and approaching winters, the Government of Odisha has banned the sale and use of firecrackers across the state from November 10 to 30 in the public interest.

"Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws," a government order said.

The people of the state burst firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali and Kartik Purnima, which falls on November 14 and 30 respectively this year.

The state government said that it has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers during the aforementioned period in public interest. It further said that Deepavali, the festival of lights, may be celebrated in the traditional way by lighting earthen lamps (Mati Deepa/Diya), candles and other traditional lighting materials.