SC keeps in abeyance order forming Lokur panel for stubble burning
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday kept in abeyance its order forming a one-man panel of Justice Madan B Lokur to look into stubble burning in neighbouring states of the Capital after the Centre informed it that it is planning to bring in comprehensive legislation to deal with NCR's air pollution and stubble burning.
"The only issue is people are choking because of pollution and it is something which must be curbed," said the bench, comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that the Centre has taken a holistic view of the matter and the draft of the proposed law on curbing pollution would be submitted in the apex court within four days.
In its October 16 order, the top court had ordered the deployment of National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme and Bharat Scouts and Guides for assisting in the monitoring of stubble burning in the agricultural fields of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR, saying all it wants is that people of Delhi-NCR can breathe fresh air without any pollution.
During the hearing on Monday, Mehta told the apex court that coming out with proper legislation to deal with the issue is a welcome step. "We will come out with a legislation on this issue and please keep the last order at abeyance now," Mehta said, adding that pollution must be curbed on war footing.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner who has raised the issue of pollution caused due to stubble burning, said that the legislation would come only by next year. To this, Mehta said, "This government acts fast."
Singh, who said that the Centre is opposing the panel like it had done on October 16, argued that the Lokur committee would be filing its report in the meantime. Mehta, however, urged the bench that the October 16 order be kept in abeyance.
The bench, while keeping its earlier order in abeyance, posted the matter for hearing on October 29 when another pending matter related to pollution is listed.
