Supreme Court News / SC's harsh comment on pollution, gives strict instructions to Haryana-UP government

To deal with the grave problem of air pollution, the Supreme Court directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to implement a complete ban on firecrackers in NCR on the lines of Delhi-Rajasthan. The court is also strict on green firecrackers, the next hearing will be on March 24.

Supreme Court News: The Supreme Court has termed air pollution as a "grave" problem and called for strict and drastic measures to control it. On Friday, a bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuiyan directed the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments to take immediate steps to impose a complete ban on firecrackers in their respective NCR regions.

The imperative of banning firecrackers

On the lines of Delhi and Rajasthan, the Supreme Court has also directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a permanent ban on the sale and use of firecrackers. The court made it clear that until these states pass such an order, the earlier ban on firecrackers will remain in force.

The bench said, "Environmental problems are serious and drastic steps are required to deal with them. Other organs of the government may be indifferent to the issue, but the court has to take concrete action."

Questions on green firecrackers too

When some lawyers requested to allow green firecrackers, the Supreme Court questioned their effectiveness and environmental benefits. "We have to check how green the green crackers really are," the bench said. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on March 24.

Example of Delhi government

The Delhi government has already implemented a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, and online sale of firecrackers. The Supreme Court has termed it a model step for other states and has expected Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to implement a similar ban.

Court's concern over pollution

Expressing deep concern over the alarming level of pollution in Delhi during Diwali, the Supreme Court had said that its directions banning firecrackers have been followed very little. The issue is part of a petition filed by M.C. Mehta in 1985, seeking directions to curb air pollution in Delhi and NCR.

Court's strict message

This decision of the Supreme Court makes it clear that environment and public health are of paramount importance. The court said that the issue of pollution cannot be taken lightly and all states will have to take concrete action against it.

Waiting for the next step

The petitions of the industries involved in firecracker manufacturing and selling will be considered in the next hearing on March 24. Till then, all the states need to follow the directions of the court.

This decision is not only a strong step towards environmental protection, but it also indicates that the judiciary is serious about public health and the environment.