Stubble Burning: Centre considering law to tackle air pollution, Supreme Court keeps its order on one-man committee in abeyance

The Supreme Court today kept its order appointing a one-man committee to monitor stubble burning in abeyance after Central government told it that legislation to tackle air pollution was under consideration..Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court of the Centre's intention to do so. He said that through the legislation, a permanent body would be put in place to address concerns related to stubble burning. The law is for "Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.".The draft law under consideration would be placed before Court within a period of a few days, Mehta assured the Court. He thus urged the Court to keep its October 16 order in abeyance..In response to the SG's submission, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said,."This (proposed law) is a welcome step... The only issue is that people are choking because of the pollution and this is an issue that needs to be curbed."CJI SA Bobde.While Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Harish Salve supported the proposal for a legislation, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, objected to the Centre's position. He questioned why the committee could not proceed with its work, and submitted that a report by the committee would be ready by the time the matter is taken up for hearing next..While the Court said that a legislation for a permanent solution would also address the petitioner's prayers, Singh apprehended that the law being proposed would only come into effect next year..However, SG Mehta was quick to clarify that the draft law will be ready in a matter of a few days, and will be implemented immediately.."This government acts fast", SG Mehta said, assuring the Court of quick action..The Court thus opined that it would be appropriate for it to keep the order of October 16 in abeyance till further orders, as the "Union of India has proposed a legislation to tackle the problem highlighted in the PIL"..Just before the Dussehra break, the Court had appointed its former judge, Justice Madan Lokur as a one-man committee to monitor and prevent instances of stubble burning in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This order was passed despite strong resistance from SG Mehta..Supreme Court appoints Justice (retd) Madan Lokur to monitor and prevent stubble burning even as SG Tushar Mehta opposes appointment.While the Court had directed all states as well as other authorities working on the issue of stubble burning to render assistance to the Justice Lokur Committee, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) urged that it be heard by the Court the appointment was made. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati had submitted that the EPCA was already seized of the issue and was in contact with the states. Thus, such a separate committee was not required..The issue of stubble burning and the consequent air pollution caused in Delhi NCR was highlighted in a PIL filed by Aditya Dubey. .Among other things, the petitioner had recommended setting up of a monitoring committee and had suggested Justice Lokur's name as head of the committee. .Read Order: