Stalin urges Kejriwal to permit sale of crackers in Delhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday urged his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal urging him to permit the sale of firecrackers that fall within the "permissible norms."

"When no other state has imposed a total ban on firecrackers, your kind act will light up the lives of lakhs of people around Sivakasi, especially rural women who depend on this industry for livelihood as Diwali accounts for 70% of their annual business. Further, green crackers have been scientifically developed and the Supreme Court has permitted the sale of green crackers through licensed traders. I (Stalin) sincerely urge you to permit the sale of firecrackers that fall within the permissible norms,” said Stalin, in a DO letter.

Taking pollution into consideration, the Delhi government for the second year has imposed a ban on crackers and this year the ban has been extended till January 1, next year. As Deepavali is round the corner, there were demands from cracker manufacturers in Sivakasi to the Delhi government to lift the ban and they also urged the State government to take necessary action.

The Chief Minister said that there are several factors for air pollution and crackers form a small percentage. "Bursting of crackers as a mark of celebration is an internationally accepted practice, including in highly environmentally proactive countries. You would appreciate that there are several contributing factors for air pollution in Indian cities which include vehicular and industrial emissions. This calls for a balanced view, taking into consideration the negligible incremental pollution potential of crackers used for a few days and the livelihoods involved,” said Stalin.

Previously, Stalin wrote a DO letter to Kejriwal in October, last year, urging him not to impose a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers and requesting to permit the sale of firecrackers that fall within the permissible norms.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu held a review meeting with the department secretaries on the safe conduct of Deepavali celebrations in Tamil Nadu.