New Delhi:
The Supreme Court of India on Monday slammed the PM Modi-led central government and the states including Punjab and Haryana for "blame game" over the issue of air pollution. During the hearing, Justice Arun Mishra said, "Why are people being forced to live in gas chambers? It is better to kill them all in one go, get explosives in 15 bags at one go. Why should people suffer all this? In Delhi blame game is going on, I am literally shocked.”
The Court further said, “People are laughing at our country that we can't even control stubble burning. Blame game is not serving the people of Delhi. You people will play the blame game, not taking it (pollution) seriously.”
Taking the cognisance of the deteriorating air quality in Delh, the top court further pulled up the Punjab and Haryana government for an increase in the instances of stubble burning despite its order prohibiting it. The bench asked "How can you treat people like this and let them die. Tell us why stubble burning increased after our order. Why are you not able to check stubble burning. Is it not a failure?".
Also, the apex court has asked the Punjab Chief Secretary about what steps have been taken to prevent stubble burning in the state. While the residents of the national capital gasp for fresh air prompting the authorities to declare a 'public health emergency', SC has sought for a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to file a report on adverse impact on the environment of the factories running in Delhi.
The Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra has also demanded from the CPCB to file details on the nature of factories operating in the capital. Taking cognizance of the suffocating city, SC lashed out on the Haryana government as well.
