The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the severe air pollution that has brought life to a standstill in Delhi-NCR is a question of life and death of crores of people in Delhi-NCR region, and the authorities have to be held responsible for its failure to curb it.
"Can you permit people to die like this due to pollution? Can you permit the country to go back by 100 years," observed a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.
"We have to make government responsible for this," the bench said and asked, "Why can't govt machinery stop stubble burning?
Coming down heavily on state governments, the top court said that if they don't bother about people, they have no right to be in power.
"You (states) have forgotten the concept of welfare government. They are not bothered about poor people, this is very unfortunate," said the bench, also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta.
It also questioned as to why the state governments cannot collect and purchase stubble from farmers.
"We expect more from the democratic government of the country to deal with the issue of stubble burning and curb pollution," the bench said, adding that "it is a question of life and death of crores of people. We have to make the government responsible for this".
The repeated warnings by health organisations and pro-environment groups on the rising pollution levels in India’s national capital fell on deaf ears until the thick smog that has shrouded the skies in and around Delhi now took centre stage. In the week following the Hindu festival of Diwali, pollution levels shot up to toxic levels and became evident to the world with a thick layer of smog engulfing the national capital.?
As it is, breathing in Delhi had become a luxury as toxic air replaced the once blue skies that were synonymous with this historic city. People also came out in protest and called upon the government to take urgent steps to curb pollution in Delhi.?
In recent weeks, several cases of fauna being affected by air pollution have also been reported across Delhi's veterinary hospitals. Symptoms of nausea, repeated vomiting, redness in eyes and slow response have been surfacing among stray animals in Delhi whereas pet animals are showing signs of lethargy and uneasiness. Experts attribute such symptoms to the rising pollution levels around the capital.?
The Supreme Court has also issued strict orders to stop stubble burning in the neighbouring states and several farmers have also been arrested for violating the order. Despite everything, and even as pollution levels have come down significantly in the capital, it still remains in the poor category.??