New Delhi. Hearing was held again in the Supreme Court today on the issue of pollution in Delhi-NCR. The apex court has ordered to continue the restrictions under Grape 4 in Delhi for the time being. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has been asked to consider whether schools in Delhi-NCR should be opened or not and has sought a reply by tomorrow. Also, as long as there is a halt in construction and demolition works, the governments of NCR states should give allowances to the workers. The Supreme Court has asked all NCR states to use the money collected as labor cess to help workers earn their living. The next hearing of the case will now be on Thursday, November 28.
The Supreme Court told the states of Delhi and NCR that all restrictions imposed under Group 4 will continue until the court is convinced that the pollution levels are coming down. The court said that due to closure of schools, lakhs of needy children are not getting even mid-day meal, hence the Air Quality Management Committee should consider the options for opening schools. Regarding the entry of diesel vehicles in Delhi, the Supreme Court said that it has become strict after the last hearing, why was it relaxed before that, why was the order not being strictly followed. Calling it a serious mistake, the court reprimanded the police.
Decision on relaxation in restrictions in next hearing
The bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Augustine George Masih said that we have to find a permanent solution to this very serious problem. The court has asked the Air Quality Management Committee to present the air pollution data in the next hearing. The court said that a decision will be taken in the next hearing on whether the restrictions of Grape-4 should be relaxed or not.
