SC cracks the whip as Delhi remains under toxic air
SC lambasts the Central as well as state governments over the pollution crisis in Delhi and the NCR even as the levels of pollution continue to be critical
India’s highest court on Monday lambasted the Central as well as state governments over the pollution crisis in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) even as the levels of pollution continued to be critical.
The Supreme Court summoned the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Utar Pradesh to appear before it to answer queries on stubble burning and pollution.
“It can’t go on like this. It’s too much,” the court said.
The judges said state governments should be held legally responsible for “allowing people in neighbouring places to die.” “Who is responsible? The state governments are responsible. They are only interested in electioneering. They are allowing people in neighbouring places to die. They have to be actionable in tort,” a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said.
“No one is safe even inside homes; this is atrocious. Can we survive in this atmosphere? This (situation in Delhi) is worse than Emergency.
That Emergency was beter than this emergency,” the court said.
The toxic haze in the Delhi’s national capital region remained at ‘hazardous’ levels.
“Delhi has been choking every year and we have not been able to do anything…this can’t be done in a civilised society… Governments are only passing the buck…why should there be crop burning?” the court asked.
“This is a gross violation of fundamental right to life. Various state governments and civic bodies have failed to discharge their duties,” said Justice Arun Mishra.
“We have no sympathy for the farmers. They cannot kill people with complete knowledge of what they’re doing,” Justice Mishra said.
The court banned all construction activities and rubbish burning in NCR. Violators will have to pay a fine of Rs100,000 and Rs5,000 respectively.
The apex court has also directed the Delhi government to take advice from experts on controlling a further downgrading of the Air Quality Index (AQI). Arvind Kejriwal’s government in Delhi has been ordered to produce data or records by Friday to prove that the “Odd-even” scheme has reduced pollution in Delhi, even as autos/taxis continue to ply the roads.
The court was told that Haryana had shaped up and checked stubble burning, Punjab had not. Justice Mishra indicated that the court was inclined to summon the chief secretaries and order removal of cops and officials who do not control stubble burning.
State governments were responsible for controlling stubble burning and must be made answerable, the court felt. “They are only interested in electioneering. They have no responsibility towards their own people… Everybody is interested in gimmicks and elections,” the bench said.
“Delhi is choking every year under our nose and we are not able to do anything. Every year this is happening and this continues for 10-15 days, this is not done in civilized countries. ‘Right to life’ is most important”, the SC said.
Air quality in Delhi continued to be in the severe category on Monday, even as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) called a review meeting on the issue on Sunday. A statement released by the PMO said that the cabinet secretary will be monitoring the situation with Delhi, Punjab and Haryana on a daily basis. Chief Secretaries of the states have also been asked to monitor the situation in various districts round the clock.
Following direction of Haryana Chief Secretary Kesni Anand Arora, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri has formed 27 teams of nodal officers of different departments to keep tabs on sources responsible for causing pollution.
The air quality index of Gurugram has worsened post Diwali with PM 2.5 level continuously maintained 500 cubic metre. The situation improved, though, due to Odd-even scheme implemented by the Delhi government on Monday. The PM 2.5 level of Gurugram at two stations — Gwal Pahari and Vikas Sadan civil lines — have been recorded 369 and 351 cubic metre respectively.
“We have directed the deputy commissioner to form mobile teams under the supervision of area SDMS to keep tabs on stubble burning. The teams have been allowed to penalise villagers responsible for stubble burning. Besides, they should also monitor roads, construction sites and industrial sectors and impose fine on violators,” Arora said.