Lucknow, Oct 11 (NationPress) In light of the Supreme Court’s endorsement of green firecracker sales five days prior to Diwali, Congress representative Surendra Rajput expressed his support for the ruling on Saturday. However, he emphasized that the regulations applicable in Delhi should be implemented nationwide, noting that if pollution is a concern in Delhi, it is equally prevalent across the country.

This statement follows the Supreme Court's decision on Friday to hold its judgment regarding the Delhi government's request for permission to utilize certified green firecrackers during the Diwali celebrations in the national capital.

In an interview with IANS, Surendra Rajput mentioned, “The Supreme Court’s approval is certainly commendable. Nevertheless, there is an appeal to the Supreme Court to ensure the laws enforced in Delhi are adopted throughout the nation. Pollution is not confined to Delhi; it is a nationwide issue. It would be contradictory to protect the residents of Delhi from polluted air while neglecting others. The government and the BJP must give precedence to environmental cleanliness alongside the celebratory events.”

Meanwhile, a panel comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran suggested the temporary lifting of restrictions for the festivities, stating: "For now, we will allow the ban to be lifted during Diwali."

During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court that several safeguards would be in place, including that sales would occur exclusively through licensed traders and only authorized manufacturers would be permitted to sell.

On September 26, the Chief Justice Gavai-led bench provisionally authorized certified manufacturers of green crackers, who possess permits from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), to produce green crackers in the Delhi-NCR region.

However, the apex court instructed the manufacturers that until further notice, they were prohibited from selling any green crackers in restricted areas.

Earlier in April, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka (now retired) and Ujjal Bhuyan stated that enforcing a firecracker ban for only 3-4 months annually was ineffective and that no exceptions, even for green crackers, should be permitted.

Highlighting that air pollution levels have remained critically high for an extended period, the Supreme Court remarked that unless it could be demonstrated that pollution caused by green crackers was minimal, there was no basis for allowing any exemptions.

It noted that the Right to Health, an integral element of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, encompasses the right to live in a pollution-free environment.

Earlier this year in January, the Supreme Court extended the effect of orders issued by the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments, which imposed a total ban on firecrackers within the Delhi-NCR region. It ordered that the ban, which was effective until January 17, be prolonged until further directives.

The top court previously indicated that the bans already instituted by the Delhi and Rajasthan governments would only take effect when other states enforced similar measures.

Upon learning that while Haryana had permitted the use of green crackers, Rajasthan had imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in the NCR, the apex court mandated that the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments enforce firecracker bans mirroring those in Delhi.

In November of last year, following Diwali, the Supreme Court noted that the ban on firecrackers was poorly enforced in the national capital and criticized the Delhi government for its lack of action. The court requested an affidavit from the Delhi government and the Police Commissioner detailing the measures taken to uphold the ban.

The apex court suggested sealing the premises of firecracker sellers and enforcing a ban on importing firecrackers from neighboring states.