New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to examine various intervening applications seeking lifting of construction ban and relaxation on industrial restrictions within a week.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana asked Air Quality Commission to decide on lifting on construction ban and relaxing industrial restrictions.
The Court said that it expects that the commission will take a call in one week.
In its earlier hearing in the case – the fourth straight week that the court heard arguments over the air crisis in the national capital and nearby cities – the court had expressed dissatisfaction over the government claims on reducing the air pollution.
The Centre, in its reply, said that various measures, including rigorous inspections by Flying Squads have resulted in the identification of gross violations of air pollution norms across Delhi-NCR. It also said that the enforcement task force has been issuing closure notices in cases of non-compliance.
Read More:- Delhi’s air quality deteriorates, slips back to ‘very poor’ category
Here are the Highlights on Supreme Court hearing on Delhi pollution:
“We direst CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) to examine and consider issues raised by industries and other units and order relaxations where needed. We expect that Commission will take a call in one week. There are applications that wages are not being paid to construction labourers by some states. We direct states to follow earlier order and file compliance affidavit,” the three-judge bench said.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, said that the affidavit has all details on flying squads and closures of sites for non-compliance. “Several sites acted upon in Delhi,” he says.
“Indira Gandhi Hospital should be added to the list of hospitals whose construction/renovation is exempted,” he adds.
CJI: If each and every builder comes here then the matter will take very long. If representative body comes then its different.
C Aryama Sundaram for application filed by Paper Mills: Please ensure that CAQM considers representatives in a week’s time
Kapil Sibal for application filed by Rice manufacturers: CAQM did not consider our issue yet
CJI: Till date there was no relaxation because AQI was bad. But now it has improved so CAQM will consider issues.
CJI to Kapil Sibal: There is plenty of rice in my state. There is nobody there to buy it (pointing out that there is no dearth of rice)
CJI: Lots of intervention applications on other issues. Vikas Singh (petitioner) says things have improved but need to look at long term issues.
SG Tushar Mehta: Not sure whether Vikas Singh is saying improvement on behalf of petitioner Aditya Dubey or from the other petition by builders against construction ban
CJI: We will not take any call on relaxations. Let CAQM take a call on that. We will not entertain anything now. All other applications to be considered by CAQM.
Vikas Singh, representing petitioner, says that air quality has improved. “Things have gotten better. AQI improved. Need to look at issues of Stubble burning and some Delhi issues,” he says.
Live Updates: Supreme Court begins hearing
A Bench led by Chief Justice NV Ramana is hearing the case related to the air pollution in Delhi. The three-judge bench also includes Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant.
Operation of thermal power plants within three hundred kilometres of the radius of Delhi shall continue to be regulated in terms of commissions latest order dated November 30, 2021, whereby, only five out of eleven thermal power plants, have been permitted to schedule their operations and the rest have been directed to remain inoperative till at-least December 15, 2021, affidavit stated.
The Commission for Air Quality also told the Supreme Court that schools and colleges in NCR shall remain closed till further orders, allowing only online mode of application except for the purpose of conducting examinations and laboratory practical etc.
17 flying squads constituted to implement pollution measures in Delhi-NCR, Centre tells SC
The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR on Friday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it has constituted an enforcement task force to monitor compliance with its directions to control air pollution in the national capital region.
The Commission said that an Enforcement Task Force of five members has been constituted by it in the exercise of its statutory power and 17 flying squads are constituted to act against violators.
The number of flying squads would be increased to 40 in the next 24 hours, Commission told the Supreme Court. The said flying squads have already started functioning from December 2 itself and have conducted surprise checks at 25 sites, it said.
Read More:- At 8.3 Degrees, Delhi Records Season’s Lowest Temperature; Air Quality ‘Very Poor’
A Bench led by Chief Justice NV Ramana will hear the case related to the air pollution in Delhi.
In its earlier hearing in the case – the fourth straight week that the court heard arguments over the air crisis in the national capital and nearby cities – the court had expressed dissatisfaction over the government claims on reducing the air pollution.
The Centre, in its reply, said that various measures, including rigorous inspections by Flying Squads have resulted in the identification of gross violations of air pollution norms across Delhi-NCR. It also said that the enforcement task force has been issuing closure notices in cases of non-compliance.
