Plea on steps to curb air pollution: SC seeks Centre's reply

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre's response on a petition asking a series of steps to curb air pollution, including a ban on sale, possession and bursting of firecrackers across the country. A bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan also issued notices to some states, including Delhi, seeking their replies to the plea which has raised the issue of evolving a solution for crop burning, which is a major source of air pollution in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR). The court asked the Centre and states to file their responses in four weeks.

Besides seeking a ban on firecrackers across the country, the petition filed through advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan has sought directions for environment-friendly, cleaner fuels and implementation of regulations on dust from construction activities.

The apex court had on October 9 said that no firecrackers would be sold in the Delhi-NCR during Diwali this year while banning its sale till November 1. It had said that its earlier order, temporarily lifting the stay and permitting the sale of firecrackers, would be made effective only from November 1.

The apex court, in its October 9 order, had said November 11, 2016, order suspending licences for sale of fireworks "should be given one chance to test itself" to see whether it had a positive effect, particularly during Diwali.