SC expresses concern over Delhi’s pollution level on Diwali, says firecracker ban hardly implemented

During the hearing, the bench said the problem started because the Centre amended stringent section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act with a simple penalty for contravention of provisions of law.

The provision dealt with prosecution of those involved in air pollution.

“Anyways, we will see what can be done and would create a mechanism, so that this situation is not repeated again,” the bench observed.

One of the counsels appearing for the intervener said firecracker ban should not be limited to Diwali alone and it should be extended throughout the year.

Dave at the outset submitted that within a week the Centre will be making gazette notification of rules supporting section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act.

“The draft is almost ready and only the translation part remains which will be completed within a week,” she submitted.

On October 23, the top court pulled up the Centre for making the environment protection law “toothless” and it asserted that there is a fundamental right of every citizen of India to live in a pollution-free environment.

The apex court had highlighted that even after six months of amending section 15 of Environment (Protection) Act, the Centre has not come out with rules and the machinery to enforce the provision for penalty against those violating the environment protection law, rendering it toothless.

It had also pulled up the Punjab and Haryana governments for not implementing court orders in cases of stubble burning.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}