Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 10: The Citizens Forum for Public Concerns has sought ban on firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Jammu City in view of the strong concerns expressed by the health experts and environmentalists to prevent any surge in COVID-19 cases. The Health experts, quoting National Green Tribunal's order, have said that air pollution at this stage may lead to another wave of possible coronavirus infection and firm restrictions needed to stall it in Jammu.
At its meeting on Webinar today, the members have appealed to the District Magistrate, Jammu to impose ban on sale and busting of firecrackers in Jammu city during the current Diwali festival in the interest of public health and environment. However, green crackers can be allowed for celebrations.
The CFPC has also urged the District Magistrate, Jammu to impose similar restrictions on busting of firecrackers during marriages also. She should consider imposition of deterrent punishment/fine for violation of these restrictions. The administration should be asked to strictly enforce the restrictions.
The Civil Society comprising senior citizens with long experience in different fields like judiciary, bureaucracy, police, forestry, medical sciences, engineering, business and social service have also made a fervent appeal to the people of Jammu, especially the youth, to eschew busting of firecrackers voluntarily during Diwali in view of the prevailing unprecedented health emergency in Jammu. Any noisy celebrations should also be avoided to respect those who are currently under COVID treatment and the grieving families of pandemic victims.
The people should also voluntarily consider shunning of boisterous type of celebrations, remembering those bravehearts who are standing firmly at inhospitable Indo-China border in Ladakh to safeguard India's territorial integrity.
The CFPC, however, hoped that the people of Jammu would show their resolve by celebrating simple and safe Diwali which is the need of the current situation.
Headed by Er. J. S. Sudan, the Forum comprises prominent senior citizens who include Justice S.K. Gupta & Justice Sunil Hali (retired Judges of High Courts), Vijay Bakaya, IAS (Retd) former Chief Secretary, Kuldeep Khoda IPS (Retd) former DGP & CVC, U.K. Jalali former Advocate General, S.S. Wazir IPS (Retd) former ADGP & President of Central Govt. Pensioners' Welfare Association J&K, P.P. Sharma IFS (Retd) former PCCF), S.D. Swatantra IFS (Retd) former PCCF, R.L. Bharti IFS (Retd) former Member of JK PSC, Dr. Sudarshan Kumar former DG DRDA, B. D. Sharma IAS ( Retd) Prem Gupta IPS (Retd), J.K Vaid GSI (Retd) & B.K. Raina GSI (Retd) both former Director GSI, Jagmohan Sharma, former Executive Director Power Grid, Brig M. M. Chaudhary ( Retd), Vinod Malhotra former CTP & Development Commissioner, Ajay Khajuria, former Director Agriculture & Registrar SMVDSB University, Dr. V. P Gupta Former Secretary Health, Dr. Rajinder Singh, Retd Prof Orthopedic, GMC, Jammu, Dr. Yogeshwar Gupta, Dr. Yudhvir Gupta, Raman Sharma, Former Sr. Architect cum CTP JDA, B. B. Magotra former IB officer, Col. Shiv Choudhary (Retd), Y. V. Sharma, former President, Jammu Chamber of Commerce, Kuldeep Wahi & N. K. Jain noted businessmen, V. K. Gupta IAS (Retd), B. D. Sharma IAS (Retd) & K.B. Jandial IAS (Retd). |
