Highlights:
- Supreme Court of India asks firms to consider giving employees WFH in NCR
- Supreme Court asked the Haryana and Punjab governments to pursue farmers not to burn stubble for 2 weeks
- SC suggests steps to curb air pollution
On Monday, the Supreme of India asked the Centre as well as the state governments of the National Capital Region (NCR) to address the chief cause of air pollution in under 24 hours – construction activities, power plants, industries, transport and road traffic.
The top court has asked the Centre to submit an action plan no later than Wednesday morning when the case will be heard next.
Here is what we know so far:
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to call an emergency meeting on Tuesday to take measures including stopping the non-essential construction, transport, power plants as well as the implementation of Work From Home.
A bench which was headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, directed the concerned secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to attend the meeting to make their submissions before the committee formed by it.
The bench which also comprised of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant said, “In view of that, we direct the government of India to a call for an emergency meeting tomorrow and discuss the areas which we indicated and what orders they can pass to effectively control air pollution”.
Also Read: Delhi Govt Informs SC That It Is Ready To Impose Lockdown In Delhi To Control Air Pollution
The top court also asked the state governments of Haryana and Punjab to pursue the farmers in their respective states to stop burning stubble for a period of two weeks.
The bench said, “We direct the government of India, NCR states to examine introducing work from home for employees”.
The bench comprising of Chief Justice of India NV Raman, Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant said, “Tell us how we can reduce AQI from 500 at least by 200 points. Take some urgent measures. Can you think of two days lockdown or something? How can people live?”
The Apex Court said that the air quality in the national capital is in the ‘severe’ category and in another two to three days it will dip further.
The Court asked the Centre to take an emergency decision and added “We will look at a long term solution later”.
Supreme Court also told the central government, during a hearing on plea on air pollution in Delhi, little children have to go to school in this weather, we are exposing them to this. Dr Guleria (AIIMS) said we are exposing them to pollution, pandemic and dengue.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that the metrological department was consulted and according to it, spurt in stubble burning, Delhi air remaining static. Thus Centre cited that till November 18 we have to be watchful.
Supreme Court has asked the Delhi government about what happened to its decision to install smog towers and emission control projects asking, “This is not the Centre’s but your jurisdiction. what is happening on that front?”
Supreme Court told the Delhi government that it has opened all schools in the national capital and now children lungs are exposed to the pollutants.
