'No religion encourages pollution': SC on deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR

Supreme Court

Taking cognizance of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on firecrackers.

The apex court said prima facie it is of the view that no religion promotes any activity which promotes pollution or compromises with health of people.

SC further directs the Delhi Police Commissioner to file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by them to enforce firecrackers ban. Supreme Court also directs all NCR states to come up before it and inform about the steps taken by them to ensure pollution is being at minimal.

"No religion encourages any activity which creates pollution. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects fundamental right to health of the citizens, " observed the top court.

In October, the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre for rendering the Environmental Protection Act "toothless" through amendments. SC noted that the Centre was not taking any penal action towards combating pollution in Delhi caused by stubble burning and only nominal fines were being collected.

Turning its attention to Punjab and Haryana, whose chief secretaries were present, the Supreme Court dismissed their efforts to weed out farm fires as "mere eyewash". In the last hearing, the top court had lambasted Punjab and Haryana for failing to take penal action against those violating the ban on stubble burning.

The top court noted that not a single prosecution had been made by Punjab and pulled up the chief secretary for giving a false statement to the Advocate General of Punjab.

"You must answer why you gave a false statement to the Advocate General of Punjab that a request has been made to Central Government for funds for tractors and diesel for farmers. We will issue contempt. We are not leaving you," the court said.