In the face of severe air pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court has seen both the Centre and Delhi government accuse each other of not doing enough to curb pollution. The Delhi government has also blamed stubble burning conducted by farmers in neighboring states. While opposing the closure of industries in Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh counsel blamed the winds from Pakistan during Friday's hearing.
According to Ranjit Kumar, senior advocate for the Uttar Pradesh government, if these industries were to shut down in UP, they would negatively impact sugarcane and milk production. In addition, Kumar discussed various aspects of the sugarcane business and vehemently argued that closure would pose a major problem.
"Closing industries will have a negative impact on sugarcane industries. UP is on the downwind side, with most air coming from Pakistan."The Chief Justice replied, "So you want to ban industries in Pakistan?"
Kumar said the farmers would suffer if sugar mills were closed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the state could approach the commission. The top court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to petition the commission for air quality management.The petitioner's lawyer, Vikas Singh, suggested the government should look into long-term solutions to curb air pollution. Singh stated that lands are available in neighboring states where solar panels could be installed for generating electricity. The bench said it had already asked the Centre to examine the issue of renewable energy. Singh insisted solar panels can replace power plants.
Concluding the hearing in the matter, the bench said: "For time being in view of particular measures by the government of India and notification dated December 2, we direct the government of India and GNCTD to implement those Measures. We'll keep the matter pending and list it (the matter) next Friday."
17-year-old Delhi student Aditya Dubey filed a case in the top court challenging severe air pollution in Delhi.