The Calcutta High Court banned the use and sale of firecrackers across the state, this Kali Puja and Chhath Puja. Such an initiative has been taken to prevent the increase in pollution levels which can be dangerous amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
A public petition was filed in the court seeking a ban on fireworks. Following which, a division bench of justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee ordered a complete ban on firecrackers.
Besides, ‘no entry’ instructions have been issued for pandal hopping, this Diwali. The court asked the police to ensure that the norms are strictly enforced on Kali Puja as well. Fifteen people will be allowed in the Kali Puja pandals having an area up to 300 sq metres, and 45 persons in the bigger ones.
During a press conference on November 03, Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopandhyay said that air pollution can be very dangerous for patients with comorbidities and respiratory problems. While there remains a complete ban on some firecrackers imposed by the Supreme Court and other regulatory bodies, he urged everyone not to burst or light even those firecrackers that are permissible.
The West Bengal Science Forum and Acharya Satyendranath Memorial Science and Technology Fair Committee also urged all to not burn fireworks during Diwali. The members of the organization carried out an awareness programme with the slogan ‘We will not touch firecrackers’.