Supreme Court Demands Accountability from States and Union to Curb Increasing Air Pollution

The Supreme Court has ordered the Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi governments to submit affidavits detailing their efforts to minimise air pollution, including actions taken to put an end to crop burning. One of the causes of air pollution in the National Capital Region, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), is stubble burning.

The court called upon the states to file their affidavits within a week, and the Commission will provide a tabular form of the results for the relevant period.

The Union submitted a report on eight pollution sources and the steps taken to address them, along with tables comparing the positions of the last two–three years and today.

Since all of these actions are only on paper and the air quality is not getting better, Justice Kaul questioned the impact on the quality of the air. The court also emphasised the relevant period for air pollution, noting that the effects on the following generation are noteworthy.

Case Title: M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India

Written by: Srijan raj @raaj_srijan