New Delhi: Amid the escalating pollution crisis in Delhi, the Supreme Court expressed its displeasure at the Centre’s failure to implement strict laws to curb the burning of crop stubble, a major contributor to the city’s air pollution. The court criticized the Centre for diluting environmental laws through amendments and failing to enact stringent regulations against those burning agricultural waste.
The apex court instructed the government to introduce new rules within 10 days to penalize individuals involved in stubble burning, which has been a persistent issue during this time of year. It also questioned the effectiveness of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in controlling air pollution, stating that the body had not made substantial progress in addressing the recurring problem.
“Despite the annual pollution crisis, not a single effective committee has been formed to resolve the stubble burning issue. The CAQM Act seems ineffective, and previous directives to Delhi-NCR states appear to have been mere lip service,” the court remarked.
The bench demanded evidence of any concrete actions taken under the law and called for immediate and robust measures to tackle the pollution that plagues millions of Delhi residents each winter. The court’s sharp response signals the growing urgency for a solution to the capital’s air quality crisis.
