Firecracker  

 Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday had urged people to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home and avoid bursting firecrackers and mass gatherings in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

After Karnataka IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil, supported the government’s decision to impose ban on firecrackers during Deepavali, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut said that police officers like her were a shame in the name of the force. "She should be suspended from the force," her tweet read.

Twitter has once again suspended popular Twitter account 'True Indology' hours after the user got into an argument with IPS Officer D Roopa over the ban on firecrackers by several states. 

Kolkata saw marked improvement in the post-Diwali air quality this year compared to 2019 following the ban on fire-crackers imposed by the Calcutta High Court.

A seven-year-old girl died of burn injuries after a cracker exploded and her dress caught fire at her home in West Bengal's Malda district. Police have started a probe into the matter. 

Bursting of firecrackers could be heard across Delhi and its neighbouring areas on Diwali night even though a ban was imposed on its sale and use in the national capital region in view of rising air pollution and COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, a virus has made it difficult for us to do anything. Read on how you can take measures for Diwali 2020.
 

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) along with state police will take strict action against any person found bursting firecrackers during Kali Puja and Diwali this year. The violator could get a maximum jail term of five years and be fined up to Rs 1 lakh.

Over 1,000 GPS-fitted sound monitoring devices were distributed by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board among different police stations in the state to track people violating the firecracker ban during Diwali and Kali puja.
 

The Calcutta high court on Tuesday (November 10) banned Chhath Puja processions across West Bengal. It has restricted the devotees from entering two of the largest lakes within the city, Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar.
 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 11) refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court order banning the use and sale of firecrackers in West Bengal during Diwali, Chhath Puja, and Kali Puja. 
 

Lalbazar issued an SOP on Monday (November 9) for all OCs asking to plan strict action against bursting of firecrackers during Diwali and suggesting a five-point action plan.
 

Responding to a Twitter user's post seeking clarity about his stand on the issue, Shivraj Chouhan said: Madhya Pradesh is a state of happiness. Here, we never ban happiness. There is no restriction on firecrackers in the state. But yes, there is a ban on Chinese firecrackers. Celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, burn firecrackers and celebrate Diwali with great pomp!"

The NGT said there will be a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the NCR from midnight of November 9 -10 to the midnight of November 30 - December 1, 2020. The order will also apply to all cities/towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November (as per available data of last year) was recorded in the 'poor' and above category.