Amidst the COVID – 19 pandemic which is being faced by Haryana and considering the approaching winter season during which the elderly children

Chandigarh, October 31- Amidst the COVID – 19 pandemic which is being faced by Haryana and considering the approaching winter season during which the elderly children

persons with co-morbidities and others, may develop respiratory problems, guidelines have been issued by the State Disaster Management Authority to Additional Chief Secretary, Environment & Climate Change Department, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Director Gieneral of Police, all Divisional Commissioners and IGPs in the State, all Deputy Commissioners and SPs in the Sate, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Panchkula and Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Panchkula.

While giving information in this regard an official spokes person said that during the approaching festive season of Diwali , Gurupurab and Kartik Purnima , Christmas eve , New Year eve, people usually burst crackers which can adversely affect the respiratory health of vulnerable groups , besides, aggravating health condition of COVID – 19 positive persons in home isolation.  Accordingly, in compliance of the various directions of NGT and Supreme Court, while exercising the powers under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the State Executive Committee has issued the guidelines for strict implementation in the State, he added.

He said that there will be a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of fire crackers in all the 14 NCR districts namely Bhiwani,  Charkhi Dadri,  Faridabad, Gurugram , Jhajjar,  Jind,  Karnal, Mahendergarh,  Nuh,  Palwal,  Panipat, Rewari,  Rohtak and Sonipat .  The direction above will also apply to all cities / towns in the State where the average of ambient air quality during November (as per available data of last year ) is of ‘ poor ‘ and above category, he added.

He said that the cities / towns in which air quality is “moderate or below” , only green crackers shall be sold and  the cities / towns / areas in which air quality is “moderate or below”, the timings for use and bursting of crackers ,  on Diwali days or on any other festivals like Gurupurab , etc . will strictly be from 8 pm till 10 pm only. For Chatt , the same will be from 6 am to 8 am and on Christmas and New Year eve, when  such fireworks start around midnight , ie 12:00 am,  it will from 11:55 pm till 12:30 am only, he added .

He said that Haryana State Pollution Control Board will issue the list of the above mentioned cities and towns separately and make the same available online on their website and also publicize the same for information of public. In the areas where use and bursting of crackers is allowed, Community fire cracking shall be promoted. Particular area / fields would be pre – identified and pre – designated by the concerned authorities immediately and the same shall be publicized for information of the public.  Even for marriages and other occasions, only green crackers are permitted, he added.

He said that the sale of crackers shall only be through licensed traders. No e – commerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon, etc. shall accept any online orders and effect online sales. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board shall carryout short – term monitoring in the cities for 14 days (coming immediately) for the parameters namely,  Aluminum,  Barium , Iron apart from the regulatory parameters against the short – term Ambient Air Quality Criteria Values ( AAQCVS ) proposed by CPCB with regard to bursting of firecrackers.  This will help in generation of data on pollution caused by the bursting of firecrackers and would be helpful for regulation and control of quality of Aluminum, Barium and Iron used in the manufacture of firecrackers, he added.

He said that the Deputy Commissioners will constitute joint inspection teams for enforcing the above instructions / directions and shall ensure extensive checking and action against the violators as per law / rules / instructions / directions issued from time to time by the State Government.  The above directions shall be enforced by the Deputy Commissioners in their respective districts and any violations shall be punishable under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. 2005, as well as under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and others provisions as applicable, he added.

He further said that these guidelines shall come into immediate effect.  The District Administration shall ensure its wide publicity by MUNADI (beat of drums) within their jurisdiction.  Publicity may also be carried out through press release and social media.  Strict compliance of the above directions he ensured by all concerned.

No.IPRDH/2021

Priyanka

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