Delhi Air Pollution| Do You Want Us To Direct Govt Officers To Work On Streets Without Mask: Asks Apex Court, Says Nothing Is Happening On Ground Apart From Meetings

Remarking that the Court will issue directions instructing Government Officers in Delhi to work in the open on the streets without masks, the Supreme Court once again criticized the Central and State Governments for their lackadaisical approach towards its directives aimed at combating the pollution crisis in Delhi and its neighbouring regions.

The Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah were dealing with a batch of pleas related to the problem of pollution caused by stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Delhi. On the last date of the hearing, the Bench had issued a series of directives to combat the pollution crisis in Delhi and its neighbouring regions.

Today, after considering the submissions and reports filed by the various parties, the Court in its order noted, "We have heard learned counsel for parties at length. Learned Attorney General before the Court assures that the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary with representatives of the States has prescribed certain immediate steps to be taken. Those steps should be proceeded with by all stakeholders. We are informed every endeavour is been made and shall be made to see that farm fires are brought under control. The reference to Punjab has only occurred because the percentage of fires there are more, but it is not as if there is an absence of delinquency on the part of the other States."

Continuing the Court noted, "There are certain suggestions made in the course of the hearing and the concerned authorities will look to it. Among the suggestions which we can easily flag is that, the with technology available now, information forthcoming can be utilized to control the farm fires where the exact location of the farm fire can be immediately detected. How to proceed with it and what measures are to be taken are administrative in character and the function of the Court is to make sure the administrators perform the task assigned. The methodology has to be by the administrators."

The Bench also ordered, "We also have again the flagged issue that a little longer time measure which is required towards crop replacement is to be done in a phased manner and encourage crops, including alternative varieties of paddy, which do not lead to such a stubble which is required to be removed". The Court further added, "It was clarified that the submission of the learned Advocate General appearing for the State of Punjab on the last date was to encourage what we have stated aforesaid and not to abolish the MSP forthwith on paddy."

The Court was also informed on the aspect of the functioning of the Smog Towers in Delhi that they have been made functional, while its impact is only within 100 meters. Regarding the non-functioning of the smog tower, it was submitted that the concerned officer had reminded the Delhi government in May and another reminder was sent in October. It was also stated that during the rainy season, the smog towers could not be made to function.

On the aspect of the real-time monitoring to done by the DPCC, the Court was informed that the same is in place now. Accordingly, the Court dispensed the personal presence of the chairperson. "The chairman of the DPCC need not remain present in the Court on the next date as the order has been compiled", stated the Court in its order.

However, referring to the last night's rain in the capital region, Justice Kaul remarked, "God has heard the prayer of people and provided some relief else there was no improvement." He also stated, "We have lots of reports, lots of theories, lots of meeting are happening, but nothing is happening on the ground."

While Justice Amanullah stated to the Attorney General, "Mr. AG, do you want us to pass an order that all the government officers shall work on the street without masks?...let your officers stand in the open for the whole day without masks." The Court clarified that they expect some results and ordered that the matter to be posted after the Diwali vacation.