Delhi govt imposes ban on firecrackers to combat air pollution
New Delhi (PTI): Anticipating a rise in pollution levels as winter approaches, the Delhi government on Monday imposed an immediate ban on the production, storage, sale and use of firecrackers across the city, effective till January 1.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai made the announcement and urged Delhi residents to support the government's efforts to curb air pollution.
In a tweet, Rai said, "In view of the increasing pollution in winter, a ban has been imposed on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers from today till January 1."
"The Delhi government has issued instructions regarding the ban, and we request the cooperation of all Delhiites," he added.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued detailed instructions to ensure the effective implementation of the ban.
The ban applies to all forms of firecrackers, including those sold online, and aims to address the rising pollution levels that worsen in the winter due to stubble burning, lower wind speeds and other seasonal factors, it said.
According to the directive, the Delhi Police is tasked with enforcing the ban, with daily action reports required to be submitted to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
Authorities have also warned that strict actions will be taken against those who violate the order.
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India rebuts Canada's 'preposterous' allegations in diplomatic row over Nijjar's killing
New Delhi: India issued a strong rebuttal to Canada on Monday, dismissing claims that its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was a 'person of interest' in the investigation of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death. The Ministry of External Affairs described the allegations as "preposterous imputations" and accused the Canadian government of engaging in vote-bank politics by pandering to pro-Khalistan elements.
This diplomatic rift dates back to June 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a known pro-Khalistan figure. India has consistently rejected the claims, calling them "absurd" and "motivated."
Tensions escalated when reports emerged that Canada named the Indian High Commissioner in the investigation. India condemned these allegations, asserting that they lacked evidence and were part of a "deliberate strategy" by Canada to smear India for political gains.
In its statement, India highlighted Verma's 36-year diplomatic career, which includes postings in Japan, Sudan, Italy, Turkiye, Vietnam, and China, and denounced the accusations against him as baseless.
India has long voiced concerns over the growing pro-Khalistan movement in Canada, urging Ottawa to take action against individuals involved in extremist activities. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, India claims that Canada has not taken sufficient steps to address the issue, further straining relations between the two countries.
