Supreme Court orders Air Pollution Control Bodies to submit action plan within 3 weeks

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran expressed strong displeasure over the negligence in filling long-standing vacant posts in pollution control boards.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and state pollution control boards to submit a concrete plan to address air pollution within three weeks. This plan was sought before the onset of the winter season, when pollution levels are particularly high and public health is affected.

Directives Given To Fill Vacant Posts In Pollution Control Boards

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran expressed strong displeasure over the negligence in filling long-standing vacant posts in pollution control boards. The Supreme Court ordered states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab to fill all vacant posts in their pollution control boards within three months. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) were also directed to fill their vacant posts. However, six months have been given to fill promotion posts.

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States Strictly Reprimanded

The Supreme Court has strongly criticized states that are unable to take effective pollution control measures due to a lack of human resources in their pollution control boards. The court stated that the lack of staff in such boards during the pollution season further exacerbates the environmental crisis. The court also expressed displeasure over the laxity in the CAQM cases, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the surrounding states—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan—formed to improve air quality.

Need For Increased Sensitivity to Pollution Control

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in this case for October 8. The court warned pollution control boards to take their responsibilities seriously and implement effective strategies to control air pollution in the upcoming winter. The court also urged all concerned authorities to increase human resources and develop technical capacity.

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The problem of air pollution in the country is becoming serious and is causing a health crisis. The Supreme Court has taken a firm stance on filling vacant positions in pollution control boards and implementing effective planning, sending a message to all relevant institutions to prioritize environmental protection and public health. This step is considered essential to address the challenges of pollution.