LIVE UPDATES- Delhi Air Pollution: Supreme Court Hearing

Bench - The affidavit filed by the diff respondent we come to conclusion the major area construction, industry transport power and vehicular traffic apart from stubble burning in some parts. Even though some decisions were taken by the task force, it has not indicated precisely what steps they are going to take to control these factors which are causing pollution. We direct GOI to call for an emergency meeting tomorrow and discuss the areas we indicated to discuss the implementation process. With respect to stubble burning, all affidavits indicate contribution in not much. However there is a good amount of stubble burning taking place in Punjab and Haryaa. We request states to pursue farmers not to burn stubble for two weeks. Encourage Work from home. Concerned secretaries attend the meeting and make their submissions before the committee.

All construction activities stopped till 17.

Bench - Other states has to also take decisions. What is your Delhi is not only NCR. Other areas are also in Delhi.

Mehra-We are also considering a lockdown. The vehicle problem is in NCR. The entire NCR has to have a one prong approach. If are ready to go in for lockdown but has to be imposed in whole of NCR.

Patwalia - We have convenience volume.

Mehra - 69 are currently there. MC will tell use how many they require. We will issue the funds immediately. We have indicated under various heads what al steps we have taken in Delhi. Almost all have already been taken in Delhi. Three steps - All schools.

Bench: The task force to meet and decide on these issues. Please ask your task force to discuss these specific issues and come back by tomorrow evening. If necessary we can hear tomorrow or day after tomorrow. We are not forcing to take action against farmers. Pursue them to defer burning for some time.( State of Punjab )You are imposing fine on farmers (some NGT directions). But affidavit is silent on what incentive are you providing? How much paddy field there is, how you provide incentive.

CJI: Construction industry, stubble burning etc are issues. Let the committees meet and let them discuss these issues & action plan by tomorrow evening. 

CJI: The way we expected Executive people will discuss and come with a solution hasn’t been done. This is unfortunate 

Justice Kant to Mr Mehra for Delhi Govt: Mr Mehra, This kind of lame excuses will compel us to hold an audit inquiry into total revenue you’re collecting & spending on popularity slogans instead of looking after people. 

Bench - Any Counsel for Haryana? So, they are busy deciding who will appear in the matter.

Bench - You want farmers have to be blamed. Delhi State Counsel what is the steps taken

Rahul Mehra - (about machines) 69 machines are there.

Bench - What can you do to augment the number of machines? Can you see steps to see change in the foreseeable future? 69 machine sufficient?

Mehra - Corporation does all of this. Mayor and other people can file a targeted affidavit tday.

Bench - You are passing the buck to the Municipal corporation again.

Mehra - I’ll come with instructions.

Bench - We have a number of Municipal Corporation. How many machine Govt can augment immediately? How will you best augment within 24 hours?

Mehra - Can I take instructions from the Principal Secretary and come back.

J Chandrachud: What can you do to increase mechanised machines immediately?

Mehra: Whatever is required, there’s a commitment from top of the Board.

CJI: that’s alright everyone is committed. Its the steps taken on ground level that’s important