The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday rapped the Delhi government for not submitting an action plan to tackle heavy pollution levels in the city.
‘Face heavy fines’
The he green panel told the Aam Aadmi Party government that heavy fines would be imposed if the report is not filed within 48 hours.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said: “Tell us one step that you have taken on previous orders passed by the Tribunal. Are the people of Delhi always supposed to suffer? We had told you to shut all offices in case of emergent situations, what have you done? Children are also suffering.”
The counsel for the Delhi government sought time from the Tribunal as the Chief Secretary and the environment secretary had been recently shuffled.
To this, the Bench said: “What can we do if you keep changing everybody? It is not our problem if people don’t want to stick to you.”
Referring to the India-Sri Lanka match, which was briefly stalled on Sunday due to poor air quality, the Bench said: “Look at people abandoning matches. You simply keep holding meeting after meeting, and not do anything else.”
The Tribunal also rapped the government for not taking action against two-wheelers — a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi.
“In the odd-even scheme, you want to exempt two-wheelers despite the fact that these 60 lakh vehicles cause the maximum pollution. Why haven’t you provided proper public transport that will help people,” asked the Bench.
The NGT had on November 28 asked Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to submit comprehensive action plans to tackle high levels of pollution.
“The steps for preventing and controlling air pollution should automatically come into play and should not depend upon the decision of the government officers in any of the states” the Bench had said.
