More Stories

Informist, Friday, Sep 27, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court today pulled up the Commission for Air Quality Management for not taking effective action against stubble burning and air pollution. Noting that the commission has not performed the way it was expected to, the top court said that efforts need to be taken to make sure that the use of alternative equipment to avoid stubble burning is used at grassroot level.

 

The Bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih said there were hardly any directions issued by the commission under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. In addition, no action has been taken by the commission after finding that its directions have been violated under Section 14 of the 2021 Act, said the court. The commission has been in existence for three years, however, it has issued only 82 directions and not taken any action despite finding that these directions have been flouted, said the court. 

 

The top court was hearing a case on rising air pollution levels in Delhi-National Capital Region and the issue of stubble burning in the neighbouring states. On Tuesday, the apex court had sought an explanation from the commission on why the stubble burning had already started in the country. 

 

The apex court noted the chairperson of the commission's statement that the three sub-committees under the commission were holding only one meeting every three months. Observing that the sub-committees have been assigned important tasks, the top court remarked, "We wonder how they are performing those tasks by meeting only once in three months."

 

The top court said that one of the duties of the commission was to work with national capital region states, and it has powers such as closing of polluting units. "We are of the view that though the commission has taken certain steps, the commission needs to be more active and must ensure that its efforts and directions actually translate into reducing the problem of pollution," said the apex court.

 

The Bench asked the commission to state about its subcommittee meetings and decisions issued by them. Moreover, the commission must ensure that the equipment to avoid stubble burning is actually used by the farmers, said the Bench. "This apart from certain other methods suggested by commission that must place on records details of meetings held and decisions taken therein," said the Bench.

 

Further, the apex court directed the commission to file a better compliance report regarding the steps taken by it. The top court will hear the case next on Thursday. 

 

In November, the apex court had said, "We want farm fires stopped, we want air quality to improve. It's your business how it occurs...If it doesn't, the only option is to keep the chief secretaries here till they find a solution. I'm sure they'll work better in their own offices, so please find a solution". It further added that the onus is not just on Punjab, but all other states reporting farm fires.

 

In December, the Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani had placed the minutes of the meeting of the committee of secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for reviewing the air quality management in Delhi. The minutes stated the steps to be taken by the governments of Haryana and Punjab on air pollution. One of the steps asked the Punjab government to devise and implement various incentives schemes on the lines already implemented by Haryana for reducing stubble burning. The apex court had asked the state governments to take action regarding the steps in the meeting.  End 

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2024. All rights reserved.