Delhi-NCR: Supreme Court criticises bureaucrats over lack of initiative in checking air pollution

"They do not want to take any decision. They want courts to pass orders and they are happy to implement," a three-judge bench headed by chief justice NV Ramana and also comprising Justices Surya Kant and DY Chandrachud observed today.

"It is unfortunate that bureaucracy has come to this pass," the apex court said and asked the Centre and states to implement in letter and spirit the decisions taken at yesterday's emergency meeting.

The Supreme Court fixed the matter for further hearing to Nov 24, Wednesday.

The Punjab Government, in its affidavit to the Supreme Court, said that it has been asking the Centre to provide cost compensation of Rs 100/quintal to the farmers over & above the MSP to control Stubble Burning but to no avail.

The Centre has filed its affidavit, pointing out the directives issued by the commission for air quality management for Delhi-NCR & adjoining areas that included ban on trucks in Delhi, closure of thermal plants & ban on construction activities.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, senior law officer appearing for the Centre, told Supreme Court that he has heard of some “irresponsible and nasty utterances” that were made on TV saying that he misled the Court on stubble burning being a cause of pollution and seeks permission to clarify his stand.

To this, the CJI told Mehta that this type of criticism you have to be prepared for when you hold public office.

Justice Chandrachud, while intervening said, "We can say that we were not misled at all."

Vikas Singh, senior lawyer for Aditya Dubey, the petitioner in the case, alleged that the commission is "not doing anything" and not taking any effective steps. Some steps has to be taken by the court itself, Singh urged the Apex Court.

"Something needs to be done immediately. Even with steroids and inhalers, I cannot breathe normally in this city. Delhi is gasping. The city is going completely on a gaspy mode," Vikas Singh said.

Delhi has to look at solutions immediately, he said.

The top court was hearing a petition related to air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas due to stubble burning.

Taking a serious view of the severe air pollution in Delhi and NCR, the Supreme Court had on November 13 said that urgent measures needed to be taken immediately, after the SG Mehta, told the SC that the ambient air condition may turn to emergency levels.

During the hearing of the case on Saturday, the CJI-led bench had observed that "We have been forced to wear masks in our homes even."