Delhi Air Pollution: consider work from home for a week, says Supreme Court
Burning farm waste should also be brought down, the apex court said.
The Centre and states should consider work-from-home option for their employees in and around Delhi and farmers should be persuaded to stop burning farm waste to bring down air pollution, the Supreme Court said on Monday. The court asked the Centre to call an emergency meeting of states and other authorities on Tuesday to work out plans for improving the air quality.
The Supreme Court has sharply criticised the Delhi government for its “lame excuses and passing the buck”, and said that immediate measures should be taken up. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that farm waste burning contributed to just 10 per cent of the emissions on an average throughout the year.
The Delhi government meanwhile, told the court that it was ready to take steps like immediate lockdown. This was said by the government in an affidavit. No physical classes will be held in schools of Delhi this week and government officials will work from home. Private offices have also been similarly advised. In addition, construction sites will remain closed for three days.
Chief Justice NV Ramana had asked the Centre on Saturday to come up with an emergency plan, calling it a “very serious” situation.
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