Haryana is among many states that have banned firecrackers due to COVID-19 (File)
Chandigarh:
Hinting that Haryana’s government might change its firecracker ban, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said people would be allowed to pop crackers for two hours on Diwali – from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Christmas and New Years, people can detonate firecrackers from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“We have noticed that coronavirus cases have increased since air pollution started to increase. The daily number of Covid cases in Haryana had fallen to 1,000. That number has now risen to 2,011 cases today. We therefore took a decision (prohibited sale and bursting of firecrackers) to protect people’s health. However, for those who want to pop crackers, we will allow two hours, ”Khattar said.
Mr Khattar, who said crackers were also banned due to the National Green Tribunal’s directive, mentioned the easing after being asked about traders’ economic losses.
However, he did not say whether traders would be allowed to sell firecrackers given the easing.
Earlier this week, the Haryana government declared the possession and sale of imported firecrackers illegal and punishable. A few days later, he banned all firecrackers in front of Diwali.
Haryana’s apparent U-turn comes days after several states imposed a complete ban on the sale and explosion of firecrackers to control the rise in air pollution after Diwali.
The coronavirus is affecting the lungs and the rise in air pollution that takes place with Diwali and the onset of winter is expected to cause the numbers to increase.
While West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Odisha and Sikkim, imposed a total ban, Karnataka recently reversed its decision allowing the sale of “green crackers” – considered less polluting.
“The government has taken all necessary measures to control COVID-19. In such a situation, it was appropriate to celebrate Deepavali in a simple and meaningful way with the health of citizens and children in mind,” he said declared Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
Haryana has recorded a total of 1.8 lakh Covid cases so far, with 1,897 deaths. The main districts of the National Capital Region – Gurgaon and Faridabad – are among the worst affected by the pandemic in the state.
