Cracker ban goes up in smoke in Karnal

Tribune News Service

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Karnal, October 20

Karnal witnessed open sale of firecrackers in the market despite the Supreme Court ban on its sale in Delhi-NCR. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had fixed a time slot for bursting crackers, but residents were found doing the same even after the deadline.

However, the air quality index of Karnal and surrounding areas could not be obtained from the pollution control board as it is still manual. The index would be generated in three-four days.

“Even after the ban on the sale of crackers in Delhi-NCR, these were easily available in the city,” said Dinesh Kumar, a resident.

Although police personnel were patrolling in the city, there was no check in rural areas.

The district administration had formed teams of officials to keep a check on violators, but they also reportedly failed. According to sources, most of the people purchased firecrackers online this time and the same were delivered at their homes. Sellers in the city had formed code words for selling crackers.

Rohit Bhargava, a teacher, said the government should make efforts to encourage manufacturers to prepare pollution-free crackers.

Deputy Commissioner Aditya Dahiya could not be contacted for his comment.