Supreme Court talks tough on Delhi air pollution after rain: ‘God heard prayers, no thanks to govt’

The Supreme Court, hearing matters related to air pollution in Delhi, on Friday asked the Centre and the Punjab government about what steps they are taking as a long-term measure to slowly phase out paddy to restore the water table in Punjab and made it clear that it wanted farm fires to stop. The court told states to show results on steps taken to curb pollution and posted the matter on November 21.

While hearing a matter relating to the debilitating air pollution in the Delhi-NCR, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed there were several reports and committees on the pollution issue, but nothing was happening at the ground level. The bench, also comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, said the apex court wanted to see the results.

Also Read: SC raps Delhi govt on odd-even; says phase out Punjab paddy, 'don't want desert'

The Supreme Court was informed that every endeavour was being made to bring farm fires under control.

"We want farm fires stopped, we want air quality to get better. It's your business how it occurs… The decline must go on during the Diwali holidays," the Supreme Court told the central and state governments.

“We suggested a methodology, you do it however you want. But farm fires must be stopped. Some emergency measures are required to stop the farm fires,” the court reiterated.

Referring to the overnight rain in Delhi, Noida, Gurguram and other areas in the NCR, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said, “The people have to pray only, sometimes wind comes and helps, and sometimes rains."

“God may have heard the prayers of people and intervened, no thanks to the government,” added Justice Kaul.

Also Read | 'Playing with fire': Punjab governor's bill assent delay provokes Supreme Court ire

Rain in Delhi brings relief from toxic air

Intermittent rain led to a rapid improvement in Delhi's air quality on Friday and cleared the suffocating haze that had been lingering for more than 10 days.

At 1pm, Delhi's AQI stood at 314 which falls in the "very poor" category. It was 376 at 9am and 408 at 7am on Friday. The AQI stood at 460 at 11pm on Thursday.

The air quality is expected to improve further due to wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants.

SC concerned over reducing groundwater in Punjab

Expressing concerns over reducing groundwater in Punjab, the top court said there is a need to phase out paddy cultivation in the state.

"The water table in Punjab is going down. We don't want another desert there. Phasing out of paddy is needed," the Supreme Court observed.

The court also pulled up the Punjab Governor for not giving assent to bills passed by the assembly, saying "you are playing by fire".

“We are not happy with what is happening in Punjab. It's a matter of serious concern. Our country has been running on established traditions and conventions and they need to be followed,” the apex court told to the Punjab government and governor.

It also asked the Punjab government why it simply adjourned, and not prorogue, the budget session of the assembly.

Pronouncing the order, the Supreme Court said, “There are certain suggestions made in the course of the hearing. Concerned authorities will look into it. Among suggestions that we can easily flag is that, there's technology available now...information is forthcoming to be utilised to control farm fires, where the exact location of farm fires can be immediately detected. How to proceed and what measures are to be taken are administrative in character. The function of the court is to make sure administrators perform the task assigned to them. The methodology has to be by administrators.”

The top court is seized of a plea filed in 1985 by environmentalist MC Mehta on air pollution and the issue of crop residue burning had arisen during the hearing of the matter.