Mumbai: The annual Diwali festival is all set to start in a week’s time, but like every year this year too the celebration has hit the cord of controversy in Delhi with the Supreme Court’s new order of ban on bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.
Even political parties have jumped in to the heated debate. In state of Maharashtra parties like Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have raised their voice against the new ban and claimed that only hindu festivals’ have to suffer and face the turmoil as time and again it has been imposed with some or other restrictions like not using drums and loudspeakers during Ganeshtosav, no late night music during navratri and now no bursting of firecrackers during Diwali. The Mumbai municipal corporation has started a year long drive and cancelled around 156 stall vendors and shopkeepers licences this year itself.
Sanjay Jadhav, Supritendent of License Department of BMC said, “In Mumbai there are 87 shopkeepers and temporary stall vendors who have license to sell firecrackers. They are allowed because their shopsare not near residential areas. Earlier the number was 243 but after the Bombay HC direction of not allowing any such stall in residential areas and to take action against those who do not adhere to norms the license of such have been cancelled.” He further added, “Every ward of BMC have been asked to keep an eye around and take action if any one flouts norms. Also, they have been directed to conduct regular roundups and check licences.”
