The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has submitted before the Delhi High Court that it has issued directions to implementing agencies including State Pollution Control Boards, construction agencies, municipal bodies & traffic police & transport department of Delhi & NCR for strict action against air polluting activities.
The CPCB, in its reply on an application against stubble burning in the states neighbouring Delhi, said that steps such as restriction on the use of pet-coke & furnace oil in industry & directions for the conversion of brick kilns to zig-zag technology have been taken that may likely impact positively on the ambient air quality.
On Thursday, a division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan, after considering the submissions, disposed of the plea seeking directions to authorities to take immediate steps to prevent stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh in the view of the rising air pollution & Coronavirus situation.
The bench noted that a committee was constituted on Oct 16 under the chairmanship of Apex Court (retired) Judge Justice Madan B Lokur in this regard & the Top Court is also hearing the related matter, which is scheduled on Oct 26.
The HC also granted the petitioner liberty to approach the Court again if needed.
The CPCB also submitted that in view of higher number of active fire events in 2020 in both Punjab & Haryana as compared to the previous year, the board has asked State Govts to direct concerned departments to intensify enforcement & monitoring to prevent burning incidences, including considering the adoption of additional measures for priority districts.
The affidavit also asked the two states to provide status with regard to setting up of Custom Hiring Centres & distribution of machinery.
The plea, filed by one Sudhir Mishra through Lawyer Petal Chandhok & Ritwika Nanda, sought directions to the respondents to send expert teams to three states -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Punjab -- for implementing effective measures to curb stubble burning.
Senior Laeyrt Arvind Nayar, representing the petitioner, submitted that stubble burning leads to an increase in the number of emergency cases in the current situation of Coronavirus & highly impacted the lungs of COVID patients.
The submissions were also supported by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared before the High Court for Central authorities.
The petition moved in an ongoing 2015 matter related to air pollution, said that the high level of pollution caused due to stubble burning also affects the respiratory functions in human beings making the immune system weaker.
It submitted that stubble burning has already begun in parts of Punjab, indicating a mammoth rise of 6 per cent in incidents of stubble burning recently. According to the application, there are findings that clearly show a direct connection of the increased air pollution ascending the current situation & making it worst.
The application said that "Since air quality is a public good, central coordination to tackle the problem becomes even more important, implying that the government of the three states would need to come together & take immediate actions to stop farmers from burning the crop residue. Broadly, the Chief Ministers of Delhi, Punjab, & Haryana have to act expeditiously before the health of citizens of NCT of Delhi fall in the state enhanced emergency".
It added that "The prevention, control, & abetment of the ever-increasing air pollution menace in the National Capital Territory of Delhi that is adversely affecting the image, habitability, prospects of trade & commerce, growth of the tourism sector & the health of the citizens of India residing or visiting Delhi, thereby inter alia violating fundamental rights to life & profession of the citizens of India, & more particularly of the NCT of Delhi".
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