'Absolutely necessary': SC refuses to relax ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to relax the ban imposed on the manufacture, storage and sale on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR noting that air pollution levels remained alarming for a considerable time.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said a large section of the population worked on streets and was the worst affected by pollution.
Not everybody can afford an air purifier at their residence or place of work to fight pollution, the bench said.
"Several orders passed by this court during last six months bring on the record the horrible situation with which prevailed in Delhi due to very high levels of air pollution...Right to health is an essential part of Article 21 of the constitution so is the Right to live in a pollution free atmosphere," the court said.
Unless the court was satisfied that the pollution due to the "so-called" green crackers was bare minimum, there was no question of reconsidering the previous orders, it added.
The bench said restricting the ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region just around Diwali would be meaningless, as it could be purchased and stored in advance.
The top court said the orders passed from time to time would indicate that the directions and ban on the use of firecrackers was warranted by an "extraordinary situation" created in Delhi.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, who is amicus curiae in the case, informed the bench that all four NCR states had banned firecrackers, but online sale remained an issue in some states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The apex court also raised the issue of noise pollution caused by bursting of firecrackers.
The top court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by firecracker manufactures seeking relaxation of ban and permission to sell green crackers.
The court said manufacturers also have to do their duty towards environment under Article 51A of the Constitution and told them to cooperate.
"We are on whether there is any study on whether any pollution is caused by green crackers. We are appealing to all of you please don't place these applications. The ban is limited to NCR Delhi. You have the entire India open for sale of firecrackers," the bench said.
The top court had in December directed the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments to impose a complete ban on firecrackers until further orders.
The court had noted the Delhi government had enforced a complete ban on the manufacture, storage and sale, including delivery of firecrackers through online marketing round the year with immediate effect.
"We are of the view that this ban will be effective only when other states forming part of the NCR region impose similar measures. Even the state of Rajasthan has imposed a similar ban in that part of State of Rajasthan which falls in NCR regions. For the time being we direct the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a similar ban which is imposed by the state of Delhi," the bench had said.
Expressing serious concerns over high pollution levels in Delhi during Diwali, the apex court previously took exception to the violation of court orders and said its directives on firecrackers ban were "hardly implemented".
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by M C Mehta in 1985 seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.
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BBMP has earmarked Rs 730 cr for welfare of sanitation workers: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Apr 7 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) earmarked Rs 730 crore for the welfare of pourakarmikas (sanitation workers).
Addressing a convention of pourakarmikas from city corporations, town municipalities, and other local bodies, he said, "We have announced Rs 500 crore in this budget for the salaries of pourakarmikas, Rs 107 crore for pensions, and a pension of Rs 6,000 for the family of a pourakarmika in the event of death. The total welfare outlay amounts to Rs 730 crore."
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said Rs 5 crore has been allocated for protective gear, including shoes and gloves.
"Rs 6 crore has been allocated to reimburse education fees, Rs 4 crore for healthcare, Rs 5 crore for skill development, and Rs 10 crore for auto and taxi drivers," he said.
According to Shivakumar, a total of Rs 64 crore has been earmarked for various welfare initiatives.
He added that the Congress government is committed to bringing positive change in the lives of pourakarmikas.
Their salaries will go up to Rs 50,000 once their employment is regularised, he said.
"We are also pourakarmikas in a way, as we keep our houses clean. It’s just that you keep the cities clean while we keep our houses clean. There was a proposal to issue recruitment letters today, but it will be done by May 1 as a few matters are still pending. I have also suggested this to the Chief Minister," Shivakumar added.
The issue of drivers and loaders has also been brought up—we will look into their demands too, he said.
Shivakumar added that he would hold a separate meeting to address complaints regarding the harassment of sanitation workers by officials.
"There are reports that some officials have been harassing pourakarmikas regarding regularisation. Don’t pay anyone any money. If someone demands it, give me a written complaint. We will hold a separate meeting to resolve these issues," he said.
Highlighting that the Congress government has launched several schemes to ensure equality, he stressed the need to uphold the dignity of labour, stating that all human beings are equal.
"The Congress government has launched many schemes to ensure equality. I wish for your children to become doctors and engineers," Shivakumar said.
"During our previous term from 2013 to 2018, we launched several schemes for pourakarmikas, including sending 1,000 of them abroad. In 2017, our government appointed 10,000 pourakarmikas and built 7.5 lakh houses for them," he added.
Shivakumar also recalled that during the Covid-induced pandemic, even when family members were avoiding contact with each other, pourakarmikas continued to keep the cities clean.
Quoting 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, the Deputy Chief Minister said that one must remain clean both inwardly and outwardly.
