Thu Dec 05 17:27:57 UTC 2024: **Supreme Court Rejects Delhi Air Pollution Easing of Restrictions, Criticizes Inter-Agency Coordination**

NEW DELHI, December 3, 2024 – The Supreme Court of India today rejected a request to ease the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage 4 restrictions imposed to combat severe air pollution in Delhi. The court stated that these restrictions will remain in place until air quality significantly improves. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Massi said that easing restrictions will be considered only after a substantial improvement in air quality is observed.

The court sharply criticized the lack of coordination among various Delhi agencies tasked with controlling air pollution, including the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC), and the Delhi Police. The court emphasized that the CAQM is responsible for ensuring cooperation among all agencies.

The court also directed the amicus curiae to submit a detailed report outlining permanent solutions to curb air pollution, including measures to stop stubble burning in the surrounding agricultural fields.

**Compensation for Construction Workers Delayed**

The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Delhi-NCR states’ failure to provide compensation to construction workers who lost their jobs due to construction bans implemented to improve air quality. The court stated that there was no evidence of any compensation being provided and summoned the chief secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to appear via video conferencing on December 5th to explain the delay. A lawyer for the Delhi government stated that 19,000 workers are eligible for compensation and a list has been prepared for disbursement, though the court insisted on proof of payment. A lawyer for the Rajasthan government claimed that compensation had already been distributed.

**Threats to Court Commissioners**

Lawyers appointed by the court as commissioners to monitor the ban on diesel vehicles reported receiving threats. The court expressed shock and directed the Delhi Police to provide the commissioners with armed protection if necessary, also demanding a report on the security threat. The lawyers stated that they faced threats when documenting illegal construction sites and diesel vehicles entering the city, adding that stubble burning continues at the Delhi borders.

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