NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said that all Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV measures except relating to schools will continue to be in place next hearing on December 2. The apex court also said that action against officials for ‘serious lapse’ in implementation of GRAP-IV measures needs to be expedited.
Meanwhile, the Commission of Air Quality Management told the Supreme Court that it has issued show cause notice to Delhi Police Commissioner, MCD Commissioner and Delhi transport department for non-compliance of its order regarding rising air pollution in the national capital.
The top court said that commissioner report shows ‘abject failure’ of authorities to implement GRAP IV curbs in letter and spirit.
Earlier on Monday, the apex court had refused to relax the strict GRAP-IV measures being implement in Delhi-NCR but suggested that educational institutions in the National Capital Region (NCR) could reopen for physical classes.
The court said a large number of students cannot avail mid-day meals, online classes and do not have access to air purifiers.
The top court also came down heavily on the authorities, asking the CAQM to take action against the Delhi government, city police and others responsible for not complying with its order under GRAP-IV to prevent the entry of trucks into the national capital.
Despite permitting relaxation of GRAP-IV measures in order to allow physical classes, the court noted that it could not order curbs below GRAP-III or GRAP-II unless it is satisfied with the consistent decrease in the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The court also asked the state governments to use the labour cess it collected for the subsistence of the labourers during the construction ban.