"Bursting firecrackers used to feel like a crime": Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma welcomes Surpreme Court's decision

New Delhi [India], October 15 : Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court allowing the sale and bursting of green firecrackers ahead of Diwali, and credited Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for it.
Hitting out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Verma said that busting firecrackers used to feel like a crime before, since the Kejriwal government had banned them.
"I congratulate every citizen of Delhi for choosing a good government. Our CM had said that Delhi will not celebrate Diwali without firecrackers this time. I welcome the decision given by the Supreme Court today. In previous years, bursting of firecrackers used to feel like a crime, as Kejriwal's AAP government had banned them," Verma told ANI.
Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra also expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court while stating that the previous government could have taken similar steps.
Thanking Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Mishra accused the previous AAP government of "working against Hindu festivals."
"I thank the Supreme Court and express gratitude towards Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for keeping the voice of the people of Delhi before the Supreme Court. This work could have been done by the previous government as well. It has now been proved that the Kejriwal government deliberately worked against Hindu festivals. Soon after the change of government in Delhi, the ban on firecrackers has been lifted, and it will now be a Diwali with green firecrackers. Like other cities, Delhi will also celebrate Diwali," Mishra told ANI.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday relaxed the firecracker restrictions in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) ahead of Diwali, allowing the sale and bursting of green firecrackers from October 18 to October 21. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandra also allowed the bursting of green firecrackers, with timings limited to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm.
The apex court stated that a "balanced approach" is necessary between celebrating festivities and protecting the environment.
"We have to take a balanced approach, permitting bursting of green firecrackers in moderation while not compromising with the environment," said the bench.
Since the firecrackers are smuggled in Delhi-NCR, which causes more damage than the green firecrackers, the sale and bursting of green firecrackers is allowed.
In a temporary measure, it also ordered that the Police authority constitute a patrolling team to keep an eye on that only permitted products with QR codes are to be sold.
The top court ordered that there shall be no firecrackers allowed in the Delhi-NCR region from outside.
It said that if fake firecrackers are found, the licence will be suspended. The use of firecrackers, not approved by NEERI as approved green crackers, shall not be permitted, it said.
The apex court directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state boards to monitor air and water quality during the period and submit a report from October 14 to 21 on the impact of fireworks on Delhi's air.
It also took note of the Delhi government's October 14, 2024, order that had imposed a blanket ban on firecrackers, which was later extended to the entire NCR. The bench said it was necessary to re-examine that approach in light of public sentiment and enforcement realities.
The apex court order came in a case relating to air pollution in the national capital region.