![[Breaking] "Police Done Nothing, It's Complete Failure”: SC Flags Non-Compliance With Anti-Pollution Measures in Delhi, Questions Govt. Actions](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Delhi-cant-be-made-to-go-through-this-cant-be-a-political-battle-everytime_-Top-quotes-from-SC-hearing-on-air-pollution-in-the-Delhi-NCR-_-India-News-The-Indian-Express.png?fit=414%2C232&ssl=1)
Today, On 27th September, the Supreme Court criticized the Delhi Air Quality Panel for failing to address the region’s worsening air pollution. Every winter, the National Capital Region (NCR) faces a severe air quality crisis, largely due to stubble burning in neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab. Despite repeated warnings, the situation remains critical, raising concerns about public health and government inaction.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court criticized the central air quality panel on Friday for failing to take sufficient measures to monitor and reduce pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih noted that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had not formed any committees for monitoring air quality.
Justice Oka remarked,
“There has been total non-compliance of the Act. Have committees been constituted? Show us a single step taken or any directions issued under the Act,”
He further added,
“It is all in the air. Nothing has been shown regarding actions taken with respect to the NCR States.”
Towards the end of the hearing, the Supreme Court acknowledged that while the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had taken some actions, they did not meet the expected standards of performance.
As winter approaches, the National Capital Region (NCR) faces its annual air quality crisis, with stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab being one of the major contributors.
When CAQM chairman Rajesh Verma informed the court that the commission meets once every three months, the court questioned whether that frequency was sufficient, asking,
“Have the decisions taken helped solve the problem? Are incidents of stubble burning decreasing?”
The court also inquired about actions taken against negligent officials. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, clarified that the chairman had only been in his position for two weeks. Verma further added that meetings were conducted with officials from Punjab and Haryana, and warnings had been issued to their chief secretaries.
Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, serving as amicus curiae, pointed out that the CAQM has the authority to take action if their laws are violated.
The court remarked,
“But they are being silent spectators,”
Ms. Singh noted that thousands of crores were allocated to provide farmers with equipment to prevent stubble burning.
She stated,
“In 2017, we believed this would help stop the issue, but it hasn’t, which is why the CAQM is involved today. Now, someone must be held accountable,”
The court emphasized the importance of promoting stubble-burning alternatives at the grassroots level.
The court said,
“One of the duties is to collaborate with NCR States, and the CAQM has extensive powers, including the authority to close polluting units. While some steps have been taken, the Commission must be more proactive and ensure that its efforts translate into tangible reductions in pollution,”
The court also requested the CAQM to provide details of their meetings and a more comprehensive compliance report.
The case will be heard again next Thursday.
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