Doda, Oct 18: Additional District Magistrate Doda has issued twin regulatory orders for sale, storage and bursting of Firecrackers on the eve of Diwali- the Festival of Lights.
“In exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 144 Cr.PC, I, Mohd Ashfaq, JKAS, Addl. District Magistrate Doda, do hereby order that No fireworks, crackers or explosive material shall be stored or sold in any place other than those specified by this office and Sub-Divisional heads for the areas within District Doda. Stalls for sale of fireworks, crackers etc. shall be put by concerned dealers only at the places mentioned in their permission after getting clearance from the Deputy Director Fire Services, the police, Municipal Committee and Revenue Authorities. The maximum amount of explosives which may be kept at any particular time at licensed premises shall not exceed the quantity given in class 7 Div. 2, Sub Div II of the explosive rules SCIV” an order issued by ADM stated among other things.
“No person under 18 years of age or who is in the state of intoxication or unsound mind shall be employed for loading/unloading or transportation of explosives or be allowed to enter in the licensed premises. No explosives which are not authorized under rules or prohibited under Section 6(A) of Act shall be possessed or sold from the premises. Chocolate bombs, Chain Crackers (Kali Pataka, Loose Cracker), DhaniPataka Dodoma, Seven Shots, Rocket Bomb, GarlantPatakas, Stat Bomb etc. shall not be allowed to be sold by any wholesale cracker dealers/retail cracker dealers in the district to curb noise pollution” the order added.
The order also bans sale of Imported fireworks for these ‘contain sensitive chemical substances which are not permitted under Indian Statute and also do not comply with the Indian Noise Level Standards shall not be sold by whole sale cracker dealer/retailer.’ The order shall come into force with the immediate effect and shall remain in force till October 31, 2022.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda shall ensure the implementation of this order in letter & spirit.
In another order issued in continuation to the previous order, the administration has enjoined upon all the enforcement agencies to enforce the guidelines issued by Department of Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction State Executive Committee Jammu (J&K) related to sale and use of fire crackers in the capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir, amongst which the following shall be strictly adhered to letter and spirit.
During the Festival of Diwali, people usually burst crackers which can further affect respiratory health of vulnerable people/Covid patients for which Covid related SOPS should be adhered to.
Only “Green Crackers” shall be permitted for sale and use in the District.
The Use/bursting of these Green crackers shall be restricted to only two hours i.e 08 PM to 10 PM on Diwali festival.
