Today, On 17th September, The Supreme Court slammed states over rising air pollution and directed CAQM, CPCB, and state boards to prepare an action plan within three weeks, stressing urgent steps as winter approaches when pollution levels rise sharply in NCR.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and state pollution control boards to devise measures to combat air pollution within three weeks, ahead of winter when pollution levels typically rise.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran criticized several states for maintaining vacancies within their pollution control boards, specifically urging states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab to address these vacancies within three months.
The court also issued similar mandates to the CAQM and the CPCB, allowing six months for the filling of promotional positions in these agencies.
The CAQM is a statutory entity established by the central government, primarily aimed at managing and enhancing air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas, which include parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The bench was addressing a suo motu petition regarding the filling of vacancies in these organizations and will reconvene on October 8.
The court expressed strong disapproval of the states’ failure to address long-standing vacancies in their pollution control boards, noting that insufficient staffing during periods of peak pollution exacerbates the environmental crisis.
The court criticized states for not addressing long-standing vacancies in their pollution control boards, noting that a lack of adequate personnel during high pollution periods exacerbates the environmental crisis.