'Crop Burning One Of Main Reasons For Air Pollution In Delhi': SC As It Seeks Response From Delhi, Nearby States On Steps Taken To Control It

A three-judges bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice S K Kaul, contended that the practice of crop burning stands as a pivotal contributor to the harmful air pollution predicament plaguing the national capital, Delhi.

In a hearing on Tuesday (31 October), the Supreme Court directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan to furnish a comprehensive account of their actions aimed at mitigating crop burning and its ensuing ramifications on Delhi's air quality.

The bench further compelled the chief secretaries of these states to expeditiously submit sworn affidavits within a week, delineating their measures and strategies in response to the crisis.

The apex court is scheduled to convene again for further deliberations on 7 November.

The Supreme Court previously, had solicited a parallel report from the Commission for Air Quality Management regarding the measures implemented to combat air pollution in the vicinity of the national capital, particularly in anticipation of the impending winter season.

A plea was earlier presented, imploring the Supreme Court's intervention in instructing the states to undertake multifaceted actions to counter air pollution.

This included the installation of smog abatement towers, afforestation initiatives, promoting accessible public transportation, and the establishment of a high-level committee, helmed by a retired Supreme Court justice, tasked with addressing the air pollution crisis stemming from the practice of stubble burning.

The petitioner, in its appeal, argued that the current state of affairs violates the Right to Life, enshrined in Article 21, impacting the citizens at large.

Moreover, the petitioner asserted that it is not merely a legal duty but a fundamental obligation under Article 51A to file this petition, thereby charting a constructive course to safeguard the populace from the harm inflicted by the surmounting pollution crisis.