Does the firecrackers ban in National capital region (NCR) ensure Right to clean environment enshrined in Article 21? Analyse.
Refer - The Hindu
IAS Parliament 7 years
KEY POINTS
· Supreme Court reinstated the 2016 temporary ban on the sale of fireworks in Delhi-NCR
Fundamental right
· Supreme Court interpreted the Right to Life, enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution implicitly guarantees Right to clean environment.
Unaddressed issues
· Much bigger factors like vehicular pollution, industries, waste burning, generators, crop residue burning contribute more to the disastrous air quality of Delhi.
· The focus on fireworks alone seems disproportionate.
· A temporary ban during the festival season will be a piecemeal solution.
· Coming just before the festival, it will be tough to impose the ban on an industry that has already produced stocks.
· A temporary ban might drive sales in black markets at inflated prices, thus will erode the original intent of apex court.
· Without addressing the major source of pollution, a temporary ban will only give temporary results.
Way forward
· Instead of ban, there should be a persuasive approach to give up the practise.
· Holistic solutions that backed by sustained policy initiatives are needed to address multi-dimensional issues like pollution.
· Innovative ideas bagged by vigorous campaigns are needed to help people shift to eco-friendly ways.
