The Supreme Court on July 23, 2021, dismissed an appeal challenging the order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning the sale of firecrackers during Covid-19 in all cities and towns across the country with poor air quality index (AQI).
Senior Advocate PS Narasimha, who appeared for firecracker sellers/dealers, informed the bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna that a total ban had been imposed on firecrackers during Covid-19. The Court clarified that the ban was in place only in places where air quality was poor and the ban was only on sales and not on manufacture. “Whatever can be controlled should be controlled,” said the Court.
The Supreme Court will continue its hearing in a plea seeking direction to the Centre to not levy service tax on Hajis who perform Haj through Haj Group Operators (HGO) and further to exempt those from the service tax category as performing Haj is a religious activity.A three-judge bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna will hear the matter through video-conferencing.Read More...