Ensure there’s no smog in Delhi: SC to Centre

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to ensure that the smog in the national capital is removed at the earliest as it adjourned two petitions seeking urgent measures on air pollution in Delhi for November 16. A three-judge bench headed by CJI SA Bobde said, “ you (Centre) ensure there is no smog in the city.” The observation came while the bench was hearing PILs filed by Aditya Dubey.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Commission on Air Quality Management had been constituted, members appointed and it stated functioning on a war footing. The commission was constituted by an Ordinance issued on October 28 after the court monitoring the air pollution matters had sought urgent action. 

Senior advocate Vikas Singh informed the court that Delhi is facing a “public health emergency” and the situation will only worsen in the coming days when the court is closed. He sought urgent action but the bench replied, “We are a court of law. We are not abdicating our responsibility. This is a problem to be dealt with by the executive. They have the money, power, expertise and resources to deal with the problem.”