Updated: October 26, 2020 4:34:40 pm
A farmer burns stubble after harvesting rice on the outskirts of Amritsar, Punjab (AP)
The Supreme Court on Monday kept its order of October 16 on hold appoint a one-man panel of the retired high court judge, Judge Madan B Lokur, to control the threat of air pollution.
A bank headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde approved the order considering the Center’s position that it introduces comprehensive legislation on “Air quality management in the national capital region and adjacent areas.” . “The only problem is that people are suffocating from the pollution and it is something that must be stopped,” said the court, which also includes judges AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
Attorney General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Center has taken a “holistic view” of the matter and that the draft of the proposed law to curb pollution will be presented to the higher court in four days.
In its order of October 16, the SC appointed Judge (retired) Madan B Lokur to monitor measures taken by neighboring states to prevent stubble burning, which is one of the main causes of pollution in the capital region. National Delhi (NCR). He also ordered the deployment of National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, and Bharat Scouts and Guides to assist in monitoring stubble burning in agricultural fields in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR, saying that all he wants is that “the people of Delhi-NCR can breathe fresh air without pollution.”
In appointing Lokur to head the committee, the bank headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, and with Justices AS Bopanna and V Rama Subramaian, clarified that his orders and the creation of the committee “are not intended to dilute the powers and authority of any authority such as EPCA (Environmental Pollution Control Authority), already created ”.
The order came following a petition filed by two students, Aditya Dubey and Aman Banka, who had requested instructions from the court to end the stubble burning. The court went ahead with the appointment of Lokur even when the Center expressed “some reservations” about it.
(With PTI inputs)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
