SC slams Delhi govt for 55% unfilled job positions in pollution control committee: ‘We cannot tolerate this’ – India News

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the Delhi government over its failure to fill crucial vacancies in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), warning of aggravated contempt if the positions are not filled by September 2025.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed strong displeasure after it was informed that out of 204 sanctioned posts in the DPCC, only 83 had been filled, leaving over 55% of positions vacant. “We cannot tolerate the laxity shown by the Delhi government, especially when Delhi is worst affected by air pollution,” the court observed, adding that the current state of the pollution control body rendered it “virtually defunct”.

Notably, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday withdrew the Stage-I restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR). The rollback came just two days after the measures were implemented, following a sudden spike in pollution levels.

The apex court directed the Delhi government to fill all existing vacancies by September and to file an affidavit detailing compliance by October 15. “If all vacancies are not filled, it will be a case of aggravated contempt,” the bench warned. The court further mandated that anticipatory vacancies be addressed at least six months in advance.

During the hearing, the counsel for the Delhi government sought time until the end of the year to complete the recruitment process. However, the court firmly rejected the plea, questioning the delay and lack of a clear timeline for advertising the vacancies.

This strong stance follows a previous order dated May 8, where the Supreme Court issued contempt notices to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for failing to comply with an August 2024 directive to fill pollution control board vacancies by April 30, 2025.

The court also addressed the 21% vacancy rate in the Central Pollution Control Board, directing that those posts be filled by August 2025. Highlighting the need for technological upgrades, it instructed the CAQM to conduct a study on the use of equipment and technology by State Pollution Control Boards and submit recommendations by July-end.

The Centre was also directed to ensure that all CAQM vacancies are filled by August 2025. “It is necessary to look into the functioning of SPCBs as well as committees… necessary action must be taken to acquire proper equipment,” the court stated.

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