'Ensure No Smog In Delhi After Diwali Break': Supreme Court To Centre On New Commission's Task

As per reports, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde posted the pleas related to air pollution for hearing after the Diwali vacation.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to ensure that there is no smog in the national capital after Diwali and to get rid of the air pollution in the city at the earliest possible. The directives were issued by the apex court while hearing two petitions seeking urgent measures on air pollution in Delhi for November 16. As per reports, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde posted the pleas related to air pollution for hearing after the Diwali vacation. In order to contain the spread of air pollution in Delhi, the commission for air quality management has started functioning from today. The Centre on Thursday appointed former Chief Secretary of Delhi M M Kutty chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (AQM) in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. Every year, air quality deteriorates across Delhi-NCR as winter approaches in the country. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the bench that the Commission will start functioning from Friday and the government has appointed the members. While referring to the recent ordinance on Air Pollution, Mehta said that he would place it on record. "The only thing is that you ensure that there is no smog in the city. We are not concerned with commission. There are many commissions and many brains are working but just ensure that there is no smog in the city," the SC bench said. On October 29, the top court was informed by the Centre that it has come out with an Ordinance on curbing pollution and it has been promulgated already. The top court had said that it would have to look at the Ordinance before passing any direction in the matter which has raised issues regarding pollution caused due to stubble burning in neighbouring states of Delhi. Meanwhile, Delhi government has banned firecrackers in the national capital till November 30 and ramp up medical infrastructure in hospitals, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holding the festive season and pollution responsible for the rising COVID-19 cases in the city. Delhi has recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases in the past few days with the number of daily infections crossing the 6,000-mark for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.