The Supreme Court on Wednesday instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and state pollution control boards to devise measures to combat air pollution within three weeks, ahead of winter when pollution levels typically surge.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran also reprimanded states for vacancies in their pollution control boards, directing states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab to fill these positions within three months.
The bench issued similar directives to the CAQM and CPCB. However, it allowed six months for filling promotional posts in state pollution control boards, CAQM, and CPCB.
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The CAQM is a statutory body established by the Centre, tasked with managing and improving air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding areas, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The bench was addressing a suo motu plea concerning the filling of vacancies in these authorities. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on 8 October.
The court strongly criticised states for their failure to address long-standing vacancies in their pollution control boards, noting that insufficient staffing during peak pollution periods exacerbates the environmental crisis.
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