Vacancies in pollution control boards and poor enforcement come under scrutiny as Court demands accountability from NCR states

Amicus says burning is undercounted; Union points to machinery subsidies; Court seeks durable plan beyond seasonal bans

This year, the SC tweaked its approach to firecrackers from prohibition to regulation. Early signs suggest that the ‘test’ may have failed

The Court directed the authorities to monitor the AQI, water sampling and police patrolling to prevent any violations

NCR states argued that Diwali firecrackers are not the only contributor to pollution, alongside stubble burning and temperature inversion

The Bench recommended the Union Government to consider imposing fines or imprisonment under the Indian penal laws

The Court warned that without expertise and staff NCR’s pollution boards remain toothless, regardless of the laws they’re bound by

The Court's attention on air pollution in Delhi has to go further than indignation and must be supported by proper implementation

The season’s hearings on air pollution have opened several workstreams for authorities. But can the SC double down on enforcement?

This week, the Court also reviewed Delhi-NCR’s compliance with colour-coded stickers and vehicle pollution rules

Calling clean air a constitutional right, the Court upheld the cracker ban and demanded compliance reports on stubble burning control

The top court demanded accountability on emission controls, waste management and compensation for affected workers