SC seeks Union Govt reply on shifting coal units from Capital
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday sought responses from the Union ministries of environment (MoEFCC), power and petroleum on the proposal for shifting all coal-based industries out of Delhi-NCR to ensure better air quality.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi Vipul M Pancholi also decided to consider the suggestion that no new coal-based thermal power plant may be established within 300 kilometres of Delhi.
The bench said it will also examine the issue of vehicular air pollution on March 12 based on the suggestions made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).It asked Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to issue public notices inviting “suggestions, proposal, recommendations” from all stakeholders, including coal-based industries.
“Notices to be deemed as served by this court. The action taken plan by all States shall give a full description of the notices given in this regard. Notices to mention they have been issued per the directions of this court. Objections to the proposed replacement may be submitted,” it said.
The bench, which has listed the case for hearing on March 12, sought status reports of different stakeholders on or before the date fixed on the suggestions made by the CAQM to deal with the air pollution issue.On the issue of long-term measures to deal with vehicular traffic, it said, “We deem it appropriate to highlight that the other long term solutions are recommended by CAQM and which are to be introduced in a phased manner.”The bench clarified that these notices, to be issued to coal-based industries, are to be deemed as officially served by the judiciary, and the States must subsequently submit “Action Taken Plans” detailing the feedback received from the public and industry players. The bench also took note of the suggestions of the CAQM on the prevention and control of paddy stubble burning.It directed all the stakeholders to implement the recommendations by the CAQM in a phased manner on the issues of vehicular traffic, abatement of dust pollution from construction and demolition activities, abatement of industry pollution, emissions from coal-based thermal power plants, prevention and control of paddy stubble burning and greening and plantation in NCR.
