Delhi Pollution Court slams Delhi Air Quality Committee over stubble burning

The Supreme Court on Friday sharply criticized the Central Air Quality Committee for failing to take action against local officials amid increasing crop burning in India’s northern states. which leads to air pollution in Delhi. The development comes as Delhi witnessed a significant drop in air quality this week.

Remanding the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the court said no committee had been formed to tackle the problem of stubble burning. “Every year we see stubble burning. There has been total non-compliance with the CAQM Act. Have any committees been constituted? Please show us a single action taken. What directions have you used under the law? You are silent spectators, you do nothing,” the court said.

The chair of the air quality committee said three subcommittees meet every three months.

“We wonder how they accomplish these tasks by only meeting once every three months,” the top court said.

The CAQM law provides for the creation of a commission for better coordination, research, identification and resolution of problems. air pollution issues in Delhi-NCR and neighboring regions.

Both judges said efforts were needed to ensure the use of alternative stubble burning equipment was used at the local level. The court also noted that there were hardly any directions issued under the law and no action was taken in cases of violations.

A senior lawyer assisting the court as amicus curiae said thousands of millions of dollars had been offered to farmers for equipment to prevent crop fires. “In 2017 we thought it would help stop it, but it didn’t and that’s why CAQM was created. Some officers need to be held accountable,” the lawyer said.

The Supreme Court also declared that the CAQM had broad powers, including the power to order the closure of polluting units. The top court asked the panel to record details of its meetings held and decisions taken.

“Although the commission has taken certain steps, it must be more active and it must ensure that its efforts and directions actually translate into a reduction in the pollution problem,” the court said.

As winter approaches, Delhi grapples with an air quality crisis every year, which reaches dangerous levels around Diwali. Stubble burning in the neighboring states of Haryana and Punjab is one of the major contributors to air pollution.