'Odd-Even Scheme Mere Optics', 'Zero Patience': What Supreme Court Said On Delhi-NCR Pollution
Delhi Pollution News: While hearing the matter of Delhi-NCR pollution, the SC directed the Delhi government to ensure that municipal solid waste is not burnt in the open.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that schemes to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR, like the odd-even for vehicles, are mere optics. It also directed the government to fix the smog tower in Delhi, reported news agency ANI. The matter was, however, posted for hearing on Friday, November 10.
While hearing the matter of Delhi-NCR pollution, the SC directed the Delhi government to ensure that municipal solid waste is not burnt in the open. "Delhi can't be made to go through this year after year," the Division Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said while hearing the matter.
Justice Kaul expressed his dismay at the growing number of children in Delhi-NCR going through health issues. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's data, the AQI in Delhi at 2 PM on Tuesday was 390 (Very Poor).
Legal news website Live Law quoted senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan as saying that the timing of the crop burning may be the issue. "There is a necessary legal background that needs to be told. The problem here is not crop burning. It is about when. There are many countries that resort to burning crops," he said. He also said that growing paddy should have been avoided in Punjab.
To this, the court agreed anbd said: "The crop is destroying the water table of the State. The problem just goes on each year," reported legal news website Bar & Bench. "The problem is the timing of the crop...by the time they shift to another crop......all these need to be sought out. I don't know... You get all the officers. We have zero patience on this," he was quoted as saying by Live Law.
Justice Kaul further acknowledged that traffic problems are also contributing to pollution.
What The Supreme Court Said In Its Order
The SC said that efforts should be made to provide an alternative solution to stubble burning, suggesting that subsidies should be provided by the Centre to provide the required facilities.
The Supreme Court suggested that if the Minimum Support Price is stopped for paddy, farmers could switch to other types of crops. "The paddy cultivation must be phased out to be substituted with other crops, and the Centre must explore the options for giving MSP for other crops rather than for paddy," the Bench said in its order.
The court directed the Punjab government to implement measures to stop farm fires from Tuesday itself. "You have to stop the fire. Your administration must do so. Your local SHO must be held responsible.. from today onwards they must start working on it," Justice Kaul said.
The court finally directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting on Wednesday, whether physically or via video. "All stakeholders will connect to ensure that we have a better picture and some redemption by Friday," the court said.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's directions, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "The Supreme Court has given its observations related to stubble burning, firecrackers, and air pollution in Delhi. Our government will implement the order of the Supreme Court. The problem of pollution is the problem of the whole of North India. I request all governments... if we implement all the steps to reduce pollution, we will succeed."
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