New Delhi [India], May 24 (HBTV): The Supreme Court has directed the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana to follow Delhi’s example and impose a complete ban on firecrackers in areas falling under the National Capital Region (NCR).

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan warned the states that any failure to implement the ban would attract contempt proceedings.

The court instructed the governments to issue directions under the Environment Protection Act (EPA) to enforce a total ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and online delivery of all types of firecrackers in NCR regions.

The bench further stated that not only must the orders of the Supreme Court be strictly implemented, but also the directives issued under Section 5 of the EPA. This section empowers the Central Government to issue directions to any authority or officer to control environmental pollution. The court emphasised that all law enforcement agencies in the respective states must ensure strict compliance.

‘We also make it clear that in case of any failure on the part of the officials of these governments and other entities to implement the directions issued by the court, action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 may be taken. All states forming part of NCR are to file a comprehensive compliance affidavit,’ the bench said in its order.

The court also directed the state governments to give wide publicity to the firecracker ban and the penalties applicable under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act.

The directions were issued while the apex court was hearing a case related to air pollution in the national capital.

(ANI)