Delhi traders urge authorities not to blame Diwali firecrackers alone for air pollution

The Chamber of Trade and Industry CTI has urged authorities to stop holding Diwali firecrackers solely responsible for Delhirsquos air pollution arguing that the issue requires yearround scientific and balanced measures rather than selective restrictions that affect tradersrsquo livelihoodsIn a statement CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said that while the organisation is completely against pollution and wants clean air for Delhi blaming firecrackers used on a single day for the cityrsquos pollution is not justifiedldquoStop the fashion of always making firecracker traders and Diwali firecrackers the villains for pollutionrdquo the CTI said calling for coordinated efforts with the Central government and neighbouring states to address stubble burningRaising questions over the effectiveness of restrictions on firecrackers the trade body asked whether any credible and accountable organisation could guarantee that Delhirsquos Air Quality Index AQI would not cross 300 between October and January if firecracker sales were completely stoppedThe CTI said it could persuade Delhibased firecracker traders associated with it not to set up shops or sell firecrackers next year However it questioned whether such a move would guarantee cleaner air during the winter monthsQuestioning the argument that firecrackers are the primary cause of Delhirsquos pollution the CTI pointed out that the cityrsquos AQI remained between 350 and 400 on November 5 6 and 7 even though firecrackers were burst on November 8It argued that this demonstrated that firecrackers were not the fundamental cause of Delhirsquos pollution and said that blaming them was the easiest approach while ignoring other contributing factorsThe trade body also questioned why pollution levels rise every year between October and January while the situation remains relatively better from March to SeptemberAccording to the CTI the reason is linked to stubble burning in neighbouring states It said Delhirsquos air quality deteriorates when stubble burning begins and improves when it stops stressing that authorities should focus on addressing the problem rather than repeatedly targeting Diwali firecrackersHighlighting the economic impact of restrictions the CTI said nearly 10 lakh people across the country are associated with the firecracker industry from manufacturing units in Sivakasi to retail traders in DelhiIt said small traders invest capital throughout the year and earn a substantial portion of their annual income during the 1520 days surrounding Diwali Lastminute restrictions it added leave their investments stranded and cause significant financial lossesThe organisation also questioned why traders continue to be targeted despite manufacturers producing green firecrackers in accordance with court directionsThe CTI further said that children wait throughout the year for Diwali which brings together new clothes sweets diyas and the happiness of celebrating with firecrackersldquoWe do not want to teach children that the meaning of festivals is only restrictionsrdquo it saidAdvocating a balanced approach the organisation said its position was in favour of fewer firecrackers bursting them during designated hours and promoting green firecrackers rather than imposing a complete ban that takes away childrenrsquos happinessThe trade body also raised questions about what it described as selective enforcement of environmental restrictions during Hindu festivalsClarifying that it was not against any religion and respected all communities the CTI asked why the strictest environmental restrictions and legal interventions were repeatedly associated with Hindu festivalsIt cited restrictions concerning firecrackers during Diwali water usage during Holi the Yamuna during Chhath DJs during Kanwar Yatra and pollution during Ganesh idol immersionldquoWhy do the rules restrictions and legal petitions come first and most strictly in the case of Hindu festivalsrdquo it askedThe CTI also questioned why similar concerns were not raised with the same intensity over firecrackers burst across the country at midnight on New Yearrsquos EveIt further alleged that large quantities of blood and water were allowed to be discharged in the name of traditions and religion without similar public outcry while Diwali which it described as one of the biggest festivals of Sanatan Dharma was repeatedly singled outldquoOur demand is that the law should be equal for everyonerdquo the organisation saidReiterating its demand for accountability the CTI asked whether authorities could guarantee that Delhirsquos AQI would remain below 300 between October and January if firecrackers were completely prohibitedldquoIf not then why should firecracker traders be punishedrdquo it askedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever