NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have ensured “no risk” for all asthma patients this Diwali as they have not issued a single licence to any ordinary or gunpowder firecracker seller. All the permissions have so far been given only for ‘green firecrackers’.
Confirming the facts, Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Licensing Unit Subhashish Chaudhary said: “In all 15 districts of Delhi, total 97 sellers had applied for licence to sell firecrackers. To the date (October 23) 57 shopkeepers were issued licenses with a condition to sell on eco-friendly green crackers. These all licenses are temporary”.
“These apart, 14 firecracker seller in Delhi already have permanent licence. Permanent licenses are issued for a period of five years while temporary licenses expire only in 10 to 15 days. But all the licence holders, irrespective to the nature of permission, will have to sell only green fireworks in Delhi. They cannot sell gunpowder crackers,” Chaudhary said.
There is a stringent procedure to issue licenses for firecrackers. Shopkeepers send their requests to the Station House Officer of their areas. The Deputy Commissioner of Police office then gives its consent over the applications. Thereafter, the Fire Service Headquarters issues the No Objection Certificate to all who fulfil the criteria. Delhi Fire Service Director Vipin Kental said: “We received 97 new applications for temporary licenses. We have issued NOC to 79 applicants after founding them perfect for the criteria”.
The Director further said that we issue licence only after physical visit to the spot. The shop area should be according to the norms i.e. nine square metre. Ways to the spot should be clear and wide to reach in any emergency and there should not be any doubt of catching fire.
After giving NOCs, the Fire department again sends the applications to the DCP office. The DCP office then reviews the applications and sends them to the licensing unit after giving its consent. Thereafter, the licensing unit gives final permission to sell the firecrackers.
The all data suggests that if everything goes according to norms than pollution level in Delhi on Diwali will be as low as comfortable to any asthma patient.
Chaudhary said: “This is the first time when no one is allowed to sell gunpowder firecrackers. All will sell the green crackers that will help to reduce the probability of pollution”.
— IANS
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