The amicus curiae told the court that I want a direction from the bench to tell the CAQM why this happened…and what action they have taken against the guilty officials. On this, Justice Oka said that yes, we want an answer. Answer us on Friday.
Delhi Air Pollution: The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as to what action is being taken against those who violate the ban on burning parathas in the country. Taking a stern stand in a case related to air pollution in Delhi-NCR, a bench of Justices Abhay Soka and Justice Augustine George Masih asked the CAQM to file its reply by Friday. Earlier in the Delhi pollution case, amicus curiae and senior advocate Anita Shenoy raised the matter before the bench and said that burning of parathas has started again.
The amicus curiae told the court that I want a direction from the bench to tell the CAQM why this happened…and what action they have taken against the guilty officials. On this, Justice Oka said that yes we want an answer, answer on Friday. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhatti, appearing for the CAQM and the central government in the case, assured the bench that the necessary information would be provided by the appointed date.
Let us tell you that among the neighboring states, paratha burning is considered to be the biggest cause of air pollution in Delhi. Last year, the Supreme Court had said that the trend of burning parathas should be curbed and there should be judicial supervision. This is to ensure that there is no severe spread of pollution in the coming winter. The burning of pyres is one of the many issues being monitored by the high court in dealing with deteriorating air quality in Delhi.
Farmers in Delhi and neighboring states burn the remaining stubble in the fields after harvesting crops like paddy to prepare the fields for the next crop. This is the easiest and cheapest way to clear the fields, but it causes a lot of pollution and greatly degrades the air quality of the surrounding areas.
