Bhubaneswar: In a major decision, the Odisha Government has prohibited sale and use of fire crackers in the State November 10 to 30 to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly, children, persons with co-morbidities during Deepavali and Kartika Purnima festival celebrations.
The Office of Special Relief Commissioner has issued an order in this regard on Tuesday.
The State is passing through a critical stage of COVID-19 pandemic. The winter season is approaching during which the elderly, children, persons with co-morbidities and others develop respiratory problems.
The Deepavali and Kartika Purnima festivals are approaching and people usually burn fire crackers during such occasions. It is a well-known fact that burning of the fire crackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals, which have severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups and such pollutants can further aggravate health conditions of COVID-19 positive persons besides persons staying in home isolation, the order said.
The Technical Expert Committee of the State Government has recommended for prohibition of burning of fire crackers to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly, children, persons with co-morbidities and others, it added.
The sale and use of fire crackers shall remain prohibited in all parts of the State from November 10 to 30.
Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws, the order further stated.