Silent spectators: Supreme Court blasts air quality panel over Delhi pollution

Pulling up the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Supreme Court said not a single committee was formed to tackle the stubble burning issue.

In Short

• Supreme Court takes note of rise in stubble burning incidents near Delhi
• Slams air quality panel for not forming committees to tackle issue
• Says CAQM has power to direct the closure of polluting units

The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the central air quality panel for not taking any action on local officers amid a rise in crop burning in north Indian states, which leads to air pollution in Delhi. The development comes as Delhi experienced a significant decline in air quality this week.

Pulling up the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the court said not a single committee was formed to tackle the stubble burning issue. "Every year we see stubble burning. There has been total non-compliance of the CAQM Act. Have committees been constituted? Please show us a single step taken. Which directions have you used under the Act? You are silent spectators. You are doing nothing," the court said.

The air quality panel chairperson said that three subcommittees were holding one meeting every three months.

"We wonder how they are performing those tasks by meeting only once in three months," the top court said.

The CAQM Act provides for the constitution of a commission for better co-ordination, research, identification, and resolution of air pollution-related problems in Delhi-NCR and adjoining regions.

The two-judge bench said efforts were needed to make sure that the use of stubble burning alternative equipment was used at grassroots level. The court also noted that there were hardly any directions issued under the Act and no action was being taken for violations.

A senior advocate assisting the court as amicus curiae said thousands of crores were offered to the farmers for equipment in a bid to prevent crop burning. "In 2017, we thought it would help stop, but it has not and that is why the CAQM was formed. Some officer has to be held responsible," the advocate said.

The Supreme Court also said the CAQM had vast powers, including directing closure of polluting units. The top court asked the panel to place on record the details of its meetings held and decisions taken.

"Though the commission has taken certain steps, it needs to be more active, and it must ensure that its efforts and directions actually translate into reducing the problem of pollution," the court said.

Ahead of winter, Delhi grapples with an air quality crisis every year, which spikes to hazardous levels around Diwali. Stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab is among the major air pollution contributors.