Following The Supreme Court's Critical Remarks, The Air Quality Commission Forms A Task Team To Enforce The Issued Directions

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In response to the remarks made by the Supreme Court with respect to the inefficiency of the Government in controlling the pollution in the capital city, the Government has constituted a task-force for ensuring compliance with the rules.
• Schools have been closed till further notice and limitations have been imposed on construction work
• The task force has started conducting surprise checks at various locations to ensure compliance with the rules.

DETAILS

• The air quality of Delhi had worsened to "severe" on 2nd December, 2021 due to western disturbances. This has led to the accumulation of the pollutants.
• The Delhi Government has ordered the closure of educational institutions in light of the extreme pollution in the city.
• Industrial units have been allowed to operate only for eight hours on weekdays and closure on weekends if they do not use PNG or other cleaner sources of energy for operational activities.
• The Supreme Court had warned the Government of extraordinary actions if measures to control the pollution were not taken immediately.
• The Supreme Court, annoyed by the fact that even the sources of pollution had not been identified, had given 24 hours to the government to constitute a task force.
• The Air Quality Commission constituted a task force comprising of seventeen flying squads. The task force consists of 5 members and has been empowered to take punitive coercive measures against those who are found in violation of the rules.
• The Government conveyed to the Apex Court that the Flying Squad has already conducted checks on as much as 25 sites.
• Furthermore, the Government has also assured the Court that it would increase the number of squads to 40 within 1 day.

QUESTIONS

• Do you think that the task force would be successful in controlling pollution?
• What other steps do you think the government should take to minimize pollution?

Share your views in the comments section below.