Air Pollution in Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed the Haryana government over non-compliance in its earlier order amid rising levels of air pollution. It also warned that if the order is not complied with it will issue contempt against the Chief Secretary of Haryana. The SC asks why the state is shying from prosecuting people for stubble burning and letting go of people with nominal fines. ISRO is telling you where a fire was taking place and you say that you do not find anything, Supreme Court to Haryana.
"This is not a political matter. If the Chief Secretary is acting at somebody's behest, we will issue summons against them as well. Nothing has been done, the same is true with Punjab. The attitude is of complete defiance," the bench observes.
Supreme Court said that affidavit filed by Haryana is full of non-compliance. It directs the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take penal action against state officers. SC orders that the Chief Secretary of Haryana to be physically present on next Wednesday and explain why no stringent action was taken against the violators and government officials.
The top court said CAQM has become a toothless tiger. The apex court had earlier rapped 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.
