Delhi’s Air Pollution a ‘Crisis’
The Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it can take steps like complete lockdown to fight pollution but adds that it’ll have only a limited impact. The Supreme Court delivered a stinging rebuke today during a hearing on pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas because it demanded an action plan from the government by tomorrow evening. The Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it’s able to take steps like complete lockdown to fight pollution but adds that it’ll have only a limited impact.
Delhi’s pollution was a “crisis,” the judges said, sharply pulling up the town government for “lame excuses” and “passing the buck” and insisting on immediate steps because the Supreme Court resumed its hearing. Justice DY Chandrachud voiced worry over the exposure of schoolchildren to pollution. All India Institute of Medical Sciences chief Dr. Randeep Guleria said there’s Covid, dengue, and pollution and youngsters are going call at this type of weather,” he said, consistent with NDTV.
Supreme Court Calls Delhi’s Government
Therefore, the Court asked the Centre and the states to tell it about the proposed measures to tackle. The pollution in Delhi by Monday, when it’ll take up the case again. Delhi remained shrouded in smog on Saturday. According to the System of Air Quality and Meteorology and Research, or Safar, the city’s air quality index was 473, putting it in the “severe” category. Due to farmers burning stubble in neighboring states, unfavorable wind speed, and fume emissions from local traffic within the city, air pollution in Delhi worsens in October and November.
Supreme Court hearing
At the Supreme Court hearing on Saturday, Mehta said that there had been a spurt in stubble burning in Punjab over a previous couple of days. “Punjab must buckle up,” he said, consistent with Live Law. “I am not making this adversarial.” But Court acknowledged that there also are other factors contributing to the pollution in Delhi. “You are projecting as if farmers are responsible,” Ramana told Mehta. “What about the Delhi people? What about the steps to manage firecrackers, vehicular emissions.
Justice Surya Kant noted that it had “become a fashion to bash the farmers.” “There was a ban on firecrackers, what happened with that?” he asked. “What has been happening in last seven days? What was the Delhi Police doing?” Mehta sought to clarify that he wasn’t putting the blame on farmers. “Please don’t take it that government, state or Centre is putting this on farmers,” he told the judges. “There isn’t a foreign intention of suggesting that.”
The Colour of political parties doesn’t matter.
The lawman added that the Centre and states will have an emergency meeting on the pollution crisis today. “Colour of political parties doesn’t matter,” he said, consistent with Bar and Bench. “It [combating pollution] may be a joint responsibility.. but implementation has got to be at the state level,” Mehta said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a gathering to debate the pollution situation within the Capital, consistent with PTI.
The meeting would attend by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Environment Minister Gopal Rai, and hence the Chief Secretary. The bench comprising the judge of India NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justice Surya Kant highlighted that there are other causes of pollution than stubble burning, like vehicular pollution, firecrackers, dust control, etc. The CJI stressed that “we want to feel better in 2-3 days”. “First see Delhi, then we’ll call other states, impose some strict measures,” the CJI told the lawman.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra Statement
When Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, who was representing the Delhi Government, mentioned the issue of stubble burning, Justice Surya Kant stated, “today it’s become a vogue to bash the farmers, whether it’s the Delhi government or someone else.” There was a ban on firecrackers. What happened with that? What has been happening in the last seven days? They were the Delhi police doing?”.
The bench adjourned the interest Monday asking the Central Government to apprise the bench about the emergency steps taken to deal with the matter. Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis: ‘If Necessary, Consider 2 Days Lockdown’: Supreme Court Orders Emergency Measures. The Supreme Court in November 2019 had taken note of pollution in Delhi-NCR and had passed a slew of directions. State governments have been urged to ensure that no more crop stubble burning occurs.
NCR
In addition, development and demolition operations in Delhi and the NCR have been prohibited. The Court had further highlighted that punishing the farmers for stubble burning wasn’t the last word solution. But to supply them with the essential facilities and amenities. The Court issued many directives in January 2020, ranging from stubble burning to automobile pollution and construction dust in Delhi. Therefore, the Central Government and the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana, and UP were directed to organize a comprehensive decision to prevent stubble burning. Here are the highest quotes by the Supreme Court on the issue: Justice Chandrachud: We are during a crisis situation and cannot enter new measures. We cannot start conjuring up a replacement image.
Justice Kant
Do you agree in theory that stubble burning isn’t the main cause and hue and cry has no scientific basis? Why not apply the ban on entry of all vehicles to and fro Delhi? Justice Kant to Punjab: you’ve got said that you simply are penalizing the farmers who are burning stubble. But what about the incentives. What about the points thereon? How they’re going to tend an alternate. CJI: this is not the way we expect an executive emergency meeting is going to be held. Construction, power, transport, dust, and stubble burning are the problems. Ask the committee created and choose the way to implement the action plan by tomorrow evening.
