SC refuses to relax GRAP-4 restrictions, next hearing on Dec 5

'COMPLETE LACK OF COORDINATION'

- AIMAN FATIMA

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax the emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dealing with air pollution in the national capital unless a consistent downward trend was noticed in the AQI level.

Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further directed the chief secretaries of NCR states to appear before it through video-conferencing on December 5 to inform whether or not any subsistence allowance was paid to the construction workers who went without work owing to the restrictions.

Observing that Delhi-NCR faced a similar situation every year between October and December, the bench proposed to go into all aspects that cause air pollution and find a permanent solution.

The bench highlighted the "complete lack of coordination" among stakeholders including the Delhi government, Delhi police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and pollution control committee in implementing the restrictions.

"What we propose is, we will look into your suggestions, but today we will not permit relaxations unless you show us a clear downward trend," said the bench.

The apex court said it would hear the parties on December 5 on whether or not to relax the GRAP 4 restrictions.