The Supreme Court on Monday asked states in the National Capital Region and Punjab to report on the implementation of various orders issued by it and the ‘Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas’ to reduce air pollution, and suggested that an independent task force be established to ensure compliance. While the federal authorities’ intentions in giving numerous orders to the states may be excellent, their execution has been “nil,” according to a three-judge panel led by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana.
After senior counsel Vikas Singh, arguing for the petitioner, argued that work on the Central Vista project was ongoing and contributing to dust pollution, the Court asked the Centre to clarify the different construction activities occurring under its jurisdiction in Delhi. “We’ll inquire as to what states have done to adopt.” If they don’t (implement), we’ll set up an independent task force ourselves,” the Chief Justice added as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta walked the court through the Commission’s several directives.
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The SG told the bench, which included Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant, that “the only thing we haven’t done is take criminal action.” A minor fine or a day in jail, according to the CJI, will not assist. “These directives, according to Mehta, were made following discussions with state chief secretaries and senior authorities.
Senior attorney A M Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, stated that the NCT government had distributed Rs 5,000 apiece to 2.95 lakh workers and had doubled the number of CNG buses. Punjab’s lawyer stated that the state was in talks with other states interested in the agricultural leftovers, but transportation costs were a major issue. “Gujarat is looking for 14,000 tonnes.” Rajasthan wants it as well, but transportation is too expensive,” he said, adding, “A golden handshake from the Centre will be required.”
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Intervening, the SG stated that he had addressed the issue with the environment minister and that the topic may no longer be relevant this year due to the end of the season. He went on to say that something is being done about it. In seeking responses from the states on compliance, the Court noted that the Centre’s affidavit in the case suggests that although certain orders were partially executed, others were not, and that it intended to give them a chance to respond.
