New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Monday regarding pollution control in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The bench, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih, will continue hearing the case on December 2.
During a previous hearing, the court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take immediate action against officials and entities failing to properly implement Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. The court emphasized that Stage IV norms should not be relaxed unless there is a consistent improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The court also ordered the Delhi and NCR governments to use funds collected as labor cess for the welfare of construction workers, specifically for providing them with weekly allowances during the ban on construction activities.
Furthermore, the court directed the CAQM to consider mitigating measures for laborers, daily wage earners, and economically weaker sections. The CAQM was also instructed to review the situation regarding educational institutions, as school closures had led to students losing access to mid-day meals and online education, with many homes lacking air purifiers.
The court also asked the CAQM to decide on continuing the ban on physical classes for Classes 10 and 12 and ensure that the Stage IV measures are implemented as directed. The CAQM was expected to make decisions on these matters promptly, with the goal of addressing the pollution crisis effectively.