The Supreme Court on Monday has described air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas as a "very serious situation" and came down heavily on the state governments, saying they have not been "showing responsibility".
The top court also summoned an environment expert from IIT and onefrom the Environment Ministry to be present before it within 30 minutes.
The apex court bench headed by Justice Arum Mishra said that the stategovernments are busy in electioneering and not showing responsibility inconnection with increasing air pollution in their states and neighbouring states.Delhi is choking every year.
Questioning the Centre and Delhi government about their strategy to cut down air pollution, the court said, "We need an expert in the court-room. This is a very serious situation."
An angry Justice Mishra observed, "No room is safe from airpollution. In fact, even the bedrooms are not safe."
The court also asked for a remedy to counter stubble burning inPunjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. "You are asking people to die? Is thiswhat the administration in Punjab and Haryana want? Crop burning is a seriousissue, and now, we need a remedy to stop it, the court said.
The court also emphasized long-term planning to counter the menaceof air pollution, as every year Delhi chokes due to severe air pollution.
The court further expressed its anguish that state machinery hasfailed to respond to this emergency. "Centre and Delhi should act togetherand not blame each other", added the court.
