ARJUN GOPALAND ORS versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
[2016] 11 S.C.R. 812, Supreme Court of India, 2016
Outcome: Directions issued
Segment: Ratio
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[2016] 11S.C.R.812 
ARJUN GOPALAND ORS. 
v. 
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
I.A. No.4 
In 
(Writ Petition (Civil) No. 728of2015) 
NOVEMBER 11,2016 
[T. S. THAKUR, CJI, A. K. SIKRI ANDS. A. BOBDE, JJ.] 
Constitution of India - Parts III, IV and !VA - Right to clean 
air - Writ petition u!Art.32 seeking emergent reliefs in relation to 
the extreme air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), owing 
to use of fireworks especially during festival/marriage season -
Held: Fireworks release a deadly concoction of fumes into an almost-
still winter air in Delhi, causing extreme air pollution during this 
time -Ambient air quality during the Diwali period shows that air 
pollution across the capital has reached record levels and has 
become intolerable - Severe air pollution in NCR is leading to 
multiple diseases and other extreme health related effects which leads 
to abject deprivation of a range of constitutionally embedded rights 
that the residents of NCR ought to have enjoyed - Thus, when the 
Air Quality Index in NCR is abysmally and threateningly severe, 
allowingfree trade in fireworks constitute a serious invasion of the 
Freedoms and Rights conferred on citizens by Part Ill of the 
Constitution - A just constitutional balance, must overwhelmingly 
prioritize the harmful effects of this hazardous air on present and 
future generations, over the immediate commercial constraints of 
the manufacturers and suppliers of fireworks - The balance must 
heavily
tilt in favour of citizens in general - Therefore, in view of 
G grave air quality situation in NCR, Central Government directed to 
suspend the licenses to store and sell fireworks in NCR till further 
orders - Jn addition, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 
directed to study and prepare a report on harmful effects of materials 
used in the manufacture of fireworks - Fundamental Rights -
H 
Directive Principles of State Policy - Fundamental Duties -
812
ARJUN GOPALAND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
813 
Environment - Pollution -Air/noise pollution. 
A 
Explosive Rules, 2008 - r.118, sub-rule (5) - Suspension! 
Cancellation of licence - Held: sub-rule 5 confers on the Central 
Government a power to suspend or cancel a license if it considers 
so to do in public interest, even without giving an opportunity of 
being heard to the licensee - Thus, grave air quality situation is one 
B 
such case, where the licenses to store and sell fireworks in NCR can 
be suspended- Directed accordingly - Explosives Act, 1884. 
MC.Mehta v. Union of India: 1998(6) SCC 60: 1998 
(3) SCR 340 and 1998(9) SCC 589; M C. Mehta v. 
Union oflndia 1998 (8) SCC 648; M C. Mehta v. Union 
C 
of India 1998(8) SCC 206 : 1998 (2) Suppl. SCR 24; 
State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti Kureshi Kassab Jamat 
(2005) 8 SCC 534 : 2005 (4) Suppl. SCR 582; Vellore 
Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of lndia, (1996) 5 SCC 
647 : 1996 (5) Suppl. SCR 241 - referred to. 
o 
Case Law Reference 
1998 (3) SCR 340 
referred to 
Para 10 
1998 (8) sec 648 
referred to 
Para 10 
1998 (2) Suppl. SCR 24 
referred to 
ParalO 
2005 (4) Suppl. SCR 582 
referred to 
Para 18 
1996 (5) Suppl. SCR 241 
referred to 
Para 18 
CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: I. A. No. 4 in Writ Petition 
(C) No. 728of2015. 
Under A1ticle 32 of the Constitution oflndia. 
K. K. Venugopal, Gopal Subramania, Sr. Advs., Ms. Pooja Dhar, 
Zeeshan Diwan Ms. Sharda Deshmuk, Yijeth, Gagan Gupta, Rahul Gupta, 
Shekhar Gupta,
Ms. Ira Gupta,Anantap Mishra, Yoginder Handoo, Sachin 
Mittal, Ms. Neha, Pravesh Ms. Pranchi, Mis. Manoj Swarup & Co., 
Advs. for the Petitioners. 
N. K. Kaul, ASG .. C. A. Sund ram, Sr. Adv., Ms. Rohini Musa, 
Zaffar Inayat, Ms. Yimla Sinha, Ms. Binu Tamta, B. K. Prasad, Ms. Yibha 
Datta Makhija,Anubhav Kumar, Ms. Disha Yaish, S. WasimA. Qadri, 
Ajay Sharma, GS. Makkar, Vijay Panjwani, Yibhu Shanker Mishra, 
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[2016] 11 S.C.R. 
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D.S. Mahra, M/s. Corporate Law Group, Chirag M. Shroff, Debojit 
Borkavati, Advs. for the Respondents. 
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The following Order of the Court was delivered 
ORDER 
I. The petitioners have approached this Court seeking emergent 
reliefs in relation to the extreme air pollution in the National Capital Region 
(hereinafter "NCR"). 
2. 
We have heard Mr. K.K. Venugopal and Ms. Vibha Datta 
Makhija, learned senior counsel for the petitioners and Mr. C.A. Sundaram, 
learned senior counsel for the respondent. The petitioner has sought 
wide ranging reliefs against the use of fireworks (including fire crackers), 
prevention of harmful crop burning, dumping ofmalba and further steps 
towards environmental purity. We have, however, restricted this order 
to grant of interim relief in respect of fireworks. 
3. 
The primary contention of the petitioners is that the use of 
fireworks in the NCR has posed a serious problem to the inhability of the 
air during Diwali and the wedding season. According to the petitioners, 
the problem has reached propmtions in the NCR which are not tolerable 
and are causing immense harm to the peace, well-being and health both 
physical and mental. In fairness, we must say that there was no serious 
opposition to the impact of fireworks on the ambient air and the unhealthy 
effects of fireworks on it. The opposition was mainly about the total 
banning of fireworks in all circumstances. 
4. 
The
onset of winter and the festival/marriage season this 
year, presented to the residents ofNCR severe concerns regarding the 
air quality standards. According to reports, the air quality standards in 
early November of this year were the worst in the world. It is reported 
that the PM 2.5 levels recorded where "beyond scale" values [see India s 
air quality among world~· worst over Diwali weekend: Report. 
G November 4, 2016, Hindustan Times]. The repmt indicates that 24 
hour average of PM 2.5 levels in South Delhi in 2016 were 38% higher 
than on the Diwali night of2015. The day after Diwali, these levels were 
twice as high as the day after Diwali in 2015, crossing 650 µg/m3, which 
is 26 times above the WHO's standards or levels considered safe. 
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ARJUN GO PAL AND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
Shockingly, on the morning of I .11.2016, Delhi woke up to an average 
PM 2.5 level of over 700 µg/m 3-some of the highest levels recorded the 
world over and 29 times above WHO standards. The rep01t fu1ther states 
that the WHO guideline for 24-hour average PM 2.5 levels is 25 µg/m 3 
and with an annual average PM 2.5 level of 122 µg/m 3, Delhi's air is the 
worst among global megacities with dense populations. We have 
particularly refen-ed to the PM 2.5 levels because of the extreme effects 
and near invisibility of this type of particulate matter. PM 2.5 or particulate 
matter 2.5 (PM2.5), refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are 
two and one half microns or less in width. It may be noted that the 
widths of the larger particles in the PM2.5 size range would be about 
thirty times smaller than that ofa human hair. These pa1ticles primarily 
emanate from vehicle exhausts and other operations that involve the 
burning offuels such as wood, heating oil or coal, and of course, use of 
fire crackers. 
5. 
In India, air quality standards are measured in terms of the 
Air Quality Index (hereainafter 'AQI'). The AQI was launched in India 
on 17.10.2014 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. According to 
the press release of the Press information Bureau of the same date, it 
consists ofa comprehensive set of parameters to monitor and asses the 
air quality. TheAQI considers eight pollutants (PM 10, PM2.5, NO,,
SO,, 
CO, 0 3, NH3, and Pb), and based on the levels of these pollutants six 
categories of AQI ranging from Good to Severe have been prescribed. 
The index also suggests the health effects of the pollution category wise. 
The gradation of AQI and its health impact is extracted below: 
Table -1 
AQI 
Associated Health Im pacts 
Good 
Minimal Impact 
(0-50) 
Satisfactory 
May cause minor breathing 
(51-100) 
discomfort to sensitive people. 
Moderately polluted 
May cause breathing discomfort 
(101-200) 
to people with lung disease such 
as asthma, and discomfort to 
people with heart disease, 
children and o Ider ad ult s. 
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Poor 
May cause breathing discomfort to 
(20 l-300) 
people on prolonged exposure, and 
discomfort to people with heart 
disease 
Ve!)' Poor 
May cause respiratory illness to the 
B 
(30 l-400) 
people on prolonged exposure. 
Effect may be more pronounced in 
neople with lung and heart diseases. 
Severe 
May cause respiratory impact even 
(401-500) 
on healthy people, and serious health 
impacts on people with ltmgiheart 
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disease. The health impacts may be 
experienced even during light 
physical activity. 
Table-2 
D 
AQI Catt-gory, Pollutants and Health Breakpoints 
AQI 
PM10 
PM,, 
NO, 
o, 
CD 
so, 
NH 3 
Pb 
Category 
24-hr 
24-hr 
24-hr 
8-hr 
8-hr 
24-hr 
24-IY 
24-hr 
(Range) 
(mg/ 
mJ) 
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Jood (0-50) 
0-50 
0-30 
0-40 
0-50 
0-1.0 
0-40 
0-200 
0-0.5 
Satisfactory 51-100 31-60 
41-80 51-100 1.1-2.0 
41-80 
201-400 0.5-1.0 
(51-100) 
Modcrately 101-250 61-90 
81 -180 101-168 2.1- IO 
81-380 401-800 1.1-2.0 
polluted 
(101-200) 
F 
Poor 
251-350 91-120 181-280 169-208 10-17 
381-800 801-1200 2. 1-3.0 
(201-300) 
Very poor 351-430 121-250 281-400 209-
17-34 
~01-1600 1200-
3.1-3.5 
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(301-400) 
748* 
1800 
Severe 
430+ 
25o+ 
40o+ 748+* 
34+ 
160o+ 
180o+ 
3.5+ 
(401-500) 
6. 
Reports indicate that the AQI in Delhi was much above the 
H severe standard, shooting off the AQI 500 mark on many days this
ARJUN GOPALAND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
November. On the day after Diwali, it was more than 14 times the safe 
limits [see Delhi :S pollution levels peaks at 1./-16 times safe limits, 
31.10.2016, The Hindu]. The adverse health effects of these hazardous 
levels of pollution are only too evident from the table given above. We do 
not intend to refer to the multiplicity ofreports and data on this front. 
7. 
The hazardous levels of air pollution in the last few weeks 
has spared very few from its ill effects. The life of the citizens ofNCR 
was brought to a virtual standstill, not to speak about the plight of the 
thousands of mute flora and fauna in NCR. Schools were declared shut, 
denizens of the city advised to stay indoors, construction activities stopped, 
power stations shut and ban imposed on burning of garbage and 
agricultural waste. The fall in air quality has had a significant impact on 
people's lifestyle as well. The rising costs to protect against air pollution 
are substantial. It has come to our notice that people are queuing up to 
purchase protective masks and air purification systems in the wake of 
dense smog all over the NCR. In short, the capital was 'smogged' into 
an environmental emergency ofunseen proportions. 
8. 
The adverse effects of these extreme levels of air pollution 
spare no one-the young, the old, the infirm and even the future generations. 
A study of the data of the Global Health Depository of the World Health 
Organization
reveals that India has the world's highest death rate from 
chronic respiratory diseases and that about 1.5 million people in lndia die 
annually due to indoor and outdoor pollution [see Delhi Wakes up to an 
Air Pollution Problem It Cannot Ignore, 15.2.2015, The New York 
Times]. The Kolkata-based Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute 
(CNCI), in a study commissioned and handed over to the Central Pollution 
Control Board, found that key indicators of respiratory health, lung function 
to palpitation, vision to blood pressure, of children in Delhi, between four 
and 17 years of age, were worse off than theircounterpmts elsewhere. 
lt also found that more than 40 percent of the school children suffer 
from lung damage [see Landmark Study Lies Buried, 2.4.2015, The lndian 
Express]. We note with apprehension that there are nascent studies that 
suggest that pollution can lower children's 1.Q., hurt their test scores and 
increase the risks of autism, epilepsy, diabetes and even adult-onset 
diseases like multiple sclerosis [see Holding Your Breath in India, 
29.5.2015, The New York Times]. 
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9. 
It has been brought to ournotice that the severe air pollution 
in the NCR is leading to multiple diseases and other health related issues 
amongst the people. It is said that the increase in respiratory diseases 
like asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis etc. is primarily attributable to the 
worsening air quality in the NCR. The damage being caused to people's 
B lungs is said to be irreversible. Other health related issues like allergies, 
temporary deafness are also on the rise. Various experts have pointed 
towards multiple adverse effects of air pollution on human health like 
premature deaths, rise in mortality rates, palpitation, loss of vision, arthritis, 
heart ailments, cancer, etc. 
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10. When we refer to these extreme effects, we are not merely 
referring to the inconvenience caused to people, but to abject deprivation 
of a range of constitutionally embedded rights that the residents ofNCR 
ought to have enjoyed. Needless to state, the grim situation of air quality 
adversely affected the right to education, work, health and ultimately, the 
D right to life of the citizens, and this Court is constitutionally bound to 
address their grave concerns. May we remind ourselves, that this is not 
the first time that this court was impelled into ensuring clean air for the 
citizens of the capital region [see MC. Mehta vs. Union of India: 
1998(6) SCC 60 and 1998(9) SCC 589; MC. Mehta vs. Union of 
E India 1998 (8) SCC
648; MC. Mehta vs. Union of India 1998(8) 
sec 206]. 
11. During the festival- marriage season in Delhi, that is between 
October and February, a report suggests that more than 40 recognized 
and other dangerous forms of firecrackers are used [see Fireworks make 
F Diwali a Dangerous Festival for All, 4.11.2015, Down to Earth]. 
These fireworks release a deadly concoction offumes into an almost-
still winter air in Delhi, causing extreme air pollution during this time. 
These fire crackers apart from causing acute air pollution also cause 
severe noise pollution.A study suggests that fireworks emit fine particles 
G of various elements like Copper, Barium, Strontium, Magnesium and 
Potassium, all of which are used to provide the colour and glitter to 
fireworks [ see The Impact of Fireworks on Airborne Particles, 
Atmospheric Environment, Volume 42, Issue 6, 2008, pages 1121-
1132]. 
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ARJUN GOPALAND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA& ORS. 
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12. The latest report
1 by the Central Pollution Control Board 
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(CPCB) on the ambient air quality during the Diwali period shows that 
air pollution across the capital has reached record levels and has become 
intolerable. We find that the air quality in NCR is mostly poor as per the 
standards prescribed by the Government oflndia, but it becomes much 
worse during Diwali. The concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 which 
B 
are indicators of air qua I ity have shown considerable increase in the 
region. The following tables show the actual PM 2.5 and PM I 0 levels in 
Delhi during the Diwali 2016 period according to the CPCB report. 
TABI .. E-3 
PM 10 (in i1g/m3) LEVELS IN DELHI 
PRE - DIWALI 
DIWALI DAY 
STATION 
2015 
20I6 
2015 
2016 
ITO 
166 
203 
531 
878 
PITAMPURA 
I 6I 
368 
460 
1297 
JANAKPURI 
I 19 
2I3 
554 
902 
PARIVESH 
166 
324 
593 
1183 
BHAWAN 
DILSHAD 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
GARDEN 
SHADIPUR 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NSJT, DWARKA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
RKPURAM 
NA 
346 
NA 
454 
MANDIRMARG 
NA 
236 
NA 
428 
PUNJABI BAGH 
NA 
236 
NA 
779 
ANAND VIHAR 
NA 
644 
NA 
1084 
AVERAGE 
153 
321.25 
534.5 
875.62 
1 CPCB Deepawali Monitoring Report. 2016 
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TABLE-4 
PM 2.5 (in µg/m3) LEVELS IN DELIIl 
PRE-DIWALI 
DIWALI DAY 
STATION 
2015 
2016 
2015 
2016 
ITO 
NA 
l 04 
NA 
797 
PITAMPURA 
117 
102 
435 
1238 
JANAKPURl 
84 
96 
459 
842 
PARIVESH 
96 
84 
474 
958 
BHAWAN 
DILSHAD GARDEN 
78 
119 
192 
602 
SHADIPUR 
108 
62 
121 
474 
NSIT, DWARKA 
191 
118 
99 
457 
RKPURAM 
NA 
144 
NA 
285 
MANDIRMARG 
NA 
92 
NA 
296 
PUNJABI BAGH 
NA 
I 08 
NA 
402 
ANANDV!HAR 
NA 
178 
NA 
430 
AVERAGE 
112.33 
109.72 
296.67 
616.45 
13. The CPCB report indicates that air pollution levels acro:;s 
the region rises by about 4-5 times on Diwali as a consequence ofburning 
of fireworks. Numerous accidents take place due to unregulated 
G manufacture, storage and transport of fireworks resulting in substantial 
damage to life and property. Further, unsupervised bursting of fireworks 
also leads to many accidents where unfortunately most victims are children. 
They are a source ofboth, air pollution and noise pollution. Something 
that is meant to be a celebration seems to be destroying the peace and 
H tranquility which is necessary for rest.
ARJUN GO PAL AND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
821 
14. Grievance was made before us about the thousands, even a 
A 
lakh of crackers on one string going off at night; and several such strings 
going off in the neighborhood, totally unmindful of the aged, the tender 
and the ill. All this firework, even that which is not noisy, leaves the 
ambient air thick with noxious particles. Marriage processions, barats, 
passing through an area generated the same kind of noise and leave 
B 
behind the same kind ofair, by the use of fire crackers. It is not necessary 
to speculate if those who suffer send their good wishes for the event, or 
to those 'celebrating' Diwali in this way. 
15. We are conscious that we are dealing with time honoured 
ways of celebrating certain occasions. The petitioners and every member 
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of the Bench and the Bar also celebrate in the same way. But does that 
justify the continuance of this mannerof celebration, when the quality of 
air in the region is so poor and injurious to health and well bei:lg ar.d is 
destroying essential components of the freedom to live a healthy life? In 
any case till the quality of air improves we do not pronounce finally on 
o 
this question at this stage. 
16. It is however ce1tain that, now, when the Air Quality Index in 
the NCR is abysmally and threateningly severe, allowing free trade in 
fireworks which is a major source ofnoise and air pollution and is causing 
immense harm to the lives and health ofcitizens, and
allowing availability 
E 
of such fireworks or explosives constitutes a serious invasion of the 
Freedoms and Rights conferred on citizens by Part 1II of the Constitution 
oflndia. Such an invasion is all the more deleterious towards the rights 
and freedom of the poor and the underprivileged who must breathe such 
air without any means of protecting themselves. 
F 
17. There is no doubt that protecting citizens (including those 
who use fireworks) by making these unavailable in the market would 
require the suspension of trade ofa miniscule section of the population. 
Maybe they have acquired stocks for sale or obtained credit for their 
business. We are however of the view, that balancing the vital interests 
G 
of the vast majority ofcitizens against the commercial interests ofa few, 
the balance must heavily tilt in favour of citizens in general. 
18. We are aware that we are only issuing interim directions, 
and much is left to be heard, discussed and said about the rival claims 
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and contentions. What is however indisputable is that the harmful effects 
of fireworks on the ambient air and the lungs, eyes and ears of people. 
What is also obvious is the extreme nuisance, noise the fireworks cause 
to citizens particularly the ailing and the aged. Therefore, though much 
can be argued as always about the significance and even joy ofbursting 
fireworks. But at the same, prima facie, a just constitutional balance, 
must overwhelmingly prioritize the harmful effects of this hazardous air 
on present and future generations, irreversible and imperceptible as they 
are, over the immediate commercial constraints of the manufacturers 
and suppliers of fireworks. Secondly, this court recognizes that the duty 
to ensure a healthy environment not only falls on the State in terms of 
Article 48-A of the Constitution oflndia but also on all citizens under 
Article 5 lA (g) of the Constitution. This Court has previously held that 
fundamental duties in Part IV A of the Constitution could be a guiding 
factor in testing the reasonableness ofrestrictions under Article 19(2)-
( 6) of the Constitution oflndia [See State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti 
Kureshi Kassab Jamat, (2005) 8 SCC 534; para 58] The principle of 
inter-generational equity, recognized and applied by this Court in a number 
of decisions, beaconing us to the health and needs of the future generation, 
also favours the issuance of interim
directions. Lastly, the precautionary 
principle, affirmed by this court in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. 
union oflndia, ( 1996) 5 sec 64 7' mandates that where there are threats 
of serious and irreversible damage, lack of scientific certainty should not 
be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental 
degradation. 
19. We thus consider it inappropriate that explosives which are 
used as fireworks should be available in the market in the NCR till futther 
orders. The mechanism of the law in this regard is clear. Rule 1181 of the 
Explosive Rules, 2008, framed under the Explosives Act, 1884 provides 
for the manner in which licenses issued under the Explosives Act to 
G ' Suspension and revocation or cancellation of licence.--{ I) Every licence granted 
under these rules shall- (I) stand cancelled, if-(a) the licensee has ceased to have any 
right for the lawful possession over the licensed premises; (b) the licensee is convicted 
and sentenced under any criminal offences or ordered to execute under Chapter VIII of 
the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of I 974°J, a bond for keeping peace for good 
behaviour. (II) stand cancelled, ifthe no-objection certificate is cancelled by the authority 
issuing the same or District Magistrate or the State Government in accordance with rule 
H 
115. (III) be liable to be suspended or cancelled by an order of the licensing authority
ARJUN GOPALAND ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. 
823 
store and sell explosives could be suspended or cancelled. Sub-Rule(S) 
A 
thereof specifically confers on the Central Government a power to 
suspend or cancel a license ifit considt.:rs that it is in public interest. This 
provision also makes it clear that an opportunity to hear the licensee 
could be dispensed with ifthe Central Government considers that in 
public interest. This Court finds that the grave air quality situation in 
B 
NCR is one such case, v.-he1e this Court, can intervene and suspend the 
licenses to store and sell fireworks in the NCR. We direct the Central 
Governmentto:-
(i) Suspend all such licenses as permit sale of fireworks, 
wholesale and retail within the territory ofNCR. 
c 
(ii) The suspension shall remain in force till fmtherorders of this 
Court. 
(iii) No such licenses shall be granted or renewed till further 
orders. 
20. In addition to the above, we direct the CPCB to study and 
D 
prepare a repo11 on the harmful effects of the materials which are 
currently being used in the manufacture of fireworks. The report shall 
be submitted within a period of three months to this Court. 
Divya Pandey 
Directions issued. 
for any contravention of the Act or these rules or of any condition contained in such 
licence, or by order of the Central Government, if it is satisfied that there are sufficient 
grounds for doing so: Provided that before suspending or cancelling a licence under this 
rule, the
holder of the licence shall be given an opportunity of being heard. (2) The 
suspension or cancellation shall take effect from the date specified therein. (3) An order 
of suspension or revocation ofa licence shall be deemed lc1 have been served if sent by 
post to the 8ddress of1hc licensee entered in the licence. ( 4) The suspension of a licence 
shall not debar the ho!Jer of the licence from applying for the renewal. (5) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (I), an opportunity of being heard 
may not be given to the holder of the licence before his licence is suspended or cancelled 
in cases---{i) where the licence is suspended by a licensing authority as an interim 
measure for violation of any of the provisions of the Act or these rules or of any 
conditions contained in such licence and in his opinion such violation is likely to cause 
imminent danger to the public: Provided that where a licence is so suspended, the 
lice11';ing authority shall give the holder of the licence an opportunity of being heard 
before the order of suspension is confirmed; or (ii) where the licence is suspended or 
cancelled by the Central Government, if that Government considers that in the public 
interest or in the iaterest of the security of the State, such opportunity should not be 
given. (6) A licensing authority or the Central Government suspending or cancelling a 
licence shall record its reason for so doing in writing. 
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