New Delhi [India], November 4 (HBTV): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government how the ban on bursting firecrackers in the national capital, aimed at curbing air pollution, was flouted during Diwali celebrations.

A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit on the steps taken to tackle pollution and enforce the firecracker ban in the city.

The bench observed that newspapers reported widely that the firecracker ban was not implemented and stated it wanted the Delhi government to respond immediately on why the ban was scarcely enforced.

"We want the Delhi government to immediately respond as to why this has happened. We will simultaneously issue a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner regarding the non-compliance. We need to address this immediately. The real problem is that this is all under the Air Prevention Act, 1981, which, after an amendment this year, includes only penalty provisions," observed the bench.

The court further directed the Delhi government and the Delhi Police Commissioner to file affidavits outlining the steps they propose to take to prevent this issue from recurring next year.

The bench also asked the Delhi government to consider implementing a perpetual firecracker ban in the national capital.

"The affidavit by the Delhi government and the Police Commissioner is to be filed within one week... In the meantime, the Delhi government and other authorities must also consider a perpetual ban on these firecrackers," it ordered.

It also sought affidavits from the governments of Haryana and Punjab, indicating the number of stubble-burning incidents during the last ten days of October.

The top court was hearing a plea concerning air pollution in and around the national capital.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave informed the bench that there was a complete lack of compliance with firecracker restrictions during Diwali this year. She added that a report suggested a significant increase in air pollution on Diwali, with pollution levels rising from 10 percent to 27 percent.  

(ANI)