SC temporarily stays Lokur panel after Center assures law to tackle air pollution in Delh-NCR

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the Central government is planning to bring in legislation to tackle air pollution and the stubble burning issue in Delhi-NCR area.

Following this, The Supreme Court Monday stays its October 16 order appointing a one-man panel of retired apex court judge Justice Madan B Lokur to check the menace of stubble burning.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde passed the order while considering the Centre’s stand that it is coming out with comprehensive legislation to deal with air pollution, including the aspect of stubble burning. “The only issue is people are choking because of pollution and it is something which must be curbed,” said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “If the government wants to pass order quickly they will pass an ordinance”.

The Chief Justice of India said that the Centre’s proposal of bringing a law is a ‘welcome step’.

“This is a welcome step. It is something that the government should have acted on. This is not a matter for PIL. The only issue is people are choking because of pollution and it is something which must be curbed,” said the CJI.