State to ban bursting of loud crackers in public places

The government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the DG& IGP to look into the amendements that could be effected in the laws.

Law Minister Suresh Kumar, briefing the media after a meeting on restrictions on bursting crackers, said an average 15,000 people suffer eye injuries during Deepavali celebrations in India every year.

In Karnataka alone, more than 300 people suffered eye injuries this year. This issue came up for discussion during the last Cabinet meeting and the government felt there was a need to impose restriction on bursting of crackers.

Committe formed

The committee consists of the secretaries of Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, representatives from Fire Services and State Pollution Control Board.

The committee had been asked to submit a report in next 15 days. The committee would study different laws restricting bursting of crackers in the UK and the US, he said.
 Suresh Kumar said the initial reports showed that high decibel crackers such as atom bombs and rockets had been causing serious problems. The government was of the view to ban bursting these crackers.

The minister said the government would also restrict use of sound system during Ganesha festival celebrations. Such practices had been causing noise pollution. The committee would suggest necessary amendments to restrict use of sound system in public places.