Scientists asked to invent zero-pollution firecrackers, says Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today that he has asked all the scientists in the country to invent zero-pollution crackers.

Talking exclusively to India Today, the minister said he has asked the scientists to form a core group. This group would be tasked with inventing crackers that do not cause any pollution.

"I have asked the scientists to invent zero-pollution crackers so that traders are happy and people are also not inconvenienced", Vardhan said.

Asked about the role the weather will play in reducing air pollution this Diwali, the minister said it would be too early to say anything regarding that. "We are assessing the role of weather. Anything can be said only after Diwali", he said.

Vardhan evaded questions when asked whether some traders were stealthily selling firecrackers.

The question



was asked in the context of three people getting arrested today for selling firecrackers. According to reports, two Delhi police personnel have also been suspended for negligence.

In Mangolpuri, a vigilance unit found a shopkeeper selling crackers. While he was arrested, two policemen were suspended for negligence. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.

In another incident in Gurugram, two people were arrested for selling firecrackers in Sector 9A. Apart from that, a shop stealthily selling firecrackers in Sector 10 was sealed.

The police recovered 39 cartons packed with firecrackers for sale.

The crackdown comes following the ban imposed on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) till November 1 with a view to check pollution during Diwali.