New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Concerned with the increasing level of pollution in Delhi and NCR, Supreme Court on Friday appointed former Apex Court judge MB Lokur as one man committee to monitor the stubble fire and smog and pollution issue and take preventive steps with the help of chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
“We appoint former Apex Court judge MB Lokur as one man committee to monitor the stubble fire and smog issue,” a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said.
The Apex Court also said that it is concerned the way pollution is increasing here in Delhi and NCR, and said, the possibility of smoke from stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana choking the NCR.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said, the governments has reservation about appointment of Lokur committee.
To this, the Apex Court clarified that it has not given any extraordinary jurisdiction to former judge, Justice Lokur, who will look into the stubble burning and smog issues.
The Apex Court said, the Judge’s consent has already been taken in this regard and we had reached and finalised the name of Justice (retired) Lokur, who will be a one man committee head to look into all pollution related issues here in Delhi and NCR.
Then the SG said, the EPCA is doing the job and there is no need of Lokur’s appointment.
The Apex Court also said, and asked the heads of National Cadet Corps, NSS and Bharat Scouts and Guides to put the young force at Lokur’s disposal to help locate stubble burning and bring it to notice of authorities to prevent crop burning.
