Supreme Court raps Delhi air quality panel over pollution, stubble burning

Supreme Court criticizes Air Quality Management Commission for failing to control crop residue burning, demands more proactive measures.

The Supreme Court rapped the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) over its failure to curb air pollution in Delhi due to crop residue burning in the neighbouring states and said it needs to be more active in its approach on Friday (September 27, 2024).

Expressing dissatisfaction over steps taken by the panel to control pollution, a bench of Justice Abha S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih said CAQM needs to exercise its power under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

“There has been total non-compliance of the Act. Please show us a single direction issued to any stakeholder under the Act .We are of the view that though the commission has taken steps, it needs to be more active. The commission must ensure that its efforts and directions issued actually translate into reducing the problem of pollution,” the Bench said.

The top court said efforts are needed to ensure that stubble-burning alternative equipment are used at the grassroots level.

“The panel must immediately step into action to ensure the equipment provided by the Central Government for avoiding stubble burning are actually used by the farmers,” it added.

The Bench directed the panel to file a better compliance report and posted the matter for hearing on October 3, 2024.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the Court about the steps taken, such as issuing advisories and guidelines, to control stubble burning.