SC asks CAQM chief to explain steps to curb stubble burning & pollution

Calling the pollution control boards of Delhi-NCR "ineffective" due to staff shortage, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the body responsible for air quality management in the national Capital and adjoining areas to explain how it proposes to tackle pollution and stubble burning which would spike with the onset of winter.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih directed the Chairperson of the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas to remain present virtually during the hearing of the matter.

"Today, the situation is that there are large number of vacant posts in the state pollution control boards rendering them ineffective... We therefore call upon the chairman of CAQM to remain present through video conferencing on the next date of hearing and explain what steps does the commission propose to take," the bench said. The bench also wondered how the subcommittee on safeguarding and enforcement to be constituted by the CAQM will function due to lack of representation from the state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh due to the vacancies.

It directed the five NCR states to fill the vacant posts urgently, preferably before April 30, 2025.