Published 16:18 IST, November 4th 2019
SC orders complete ban on stubble-burning; seeks report on Odd-Even
Supreme Court, on Monday has passed orders to the Centre and state governments of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi to tackle the pollution crisis in North India
After hearing the various arguments on the pollution crisis in Delhi and other parts of North India, the Supreme Court, on Monday has passed detailed orders to the Centre and state governments of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. The apex court had observed that the situation in Delhi is 'worse than an emergency now' and also questioned the AAP government's aim from implementing Odd-Even scheme. Next date of hearing in the matter is 6 November.
Here are the orders passed by the Supreme Court to tackle pollution:
- CS, Collectors, Tehsildars, entire police machinery to ensure that not even a single incident of stubble burning takes place. If violation takes places, entire administrative machinery would be held responsible and will be prosecuted for contempt of court.
- No demolition or construction to take place in Delhi. If there is a violation, local administration would be held personally liable. Rs. 1 lakh fine on any person indulging in any demolition or construction in Delhi.
- Delhi govt and other bodies to work in tandem to tackle garbage.
- EPCA to take steps to prevent the entry of vehicles.
- All coal-based industries within Delhi to be stopped
- On Odd-Even scheme, Delhi govt to file its response citing data based on the previous exercise, on stopping of private cars as against allowing 2&3 wheelers and taxis.
- Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and UP to appear on Wednesday to explain inaction.
Supreme Court demands state and Centre action
While hearing arguments, the apex court noted that Delhi was experiencing a similar choking situation for 10-15 days every year. It also slammed both the state and the Centre on inaction with respect to pollution saying that they were only passing the buck to each other. The bench called the pollution in Delhi-NCR as atrocious and said no one is safe even inside homes.
The Supreme Court noted that 'people could not survive in the city if the pollution crisis is not solved'. Addressing the counsels of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Arun Mishra said, "Right to life is the most important right. 'We want to burn our crop and let others die' - we can't live like this".
Delhi emergency declared
Earlier on Friday, a Supreme Court-mandated panel declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region and banned construction activity till November 5. As pollution level in the region entered the "severe-plus" category, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority also banned the bursting of crackers during the winter season. The air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated further Thursday night to the severe-plus level, triggering an Emergency. Meanwhile, the Delhi government's odd-even scheme came into implementation on Monday.
Updated 16:31 IST, November 4th 2019