With Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) facing severe pollution for the third day on Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notice to the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the NHRC said it was apparent that the authorities had not taken the adequate measures throughout the year and it amounted to the violation of the Right to Life and Health of the NCR residents.
Asking for reports on the steps taken and proposed to tackle the problem, the NHRC issued notice to the Secretaries of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Highways and Road Transport as well as the Chief Secretaries of the Delhi, Punjab and Haryana governments. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry Secretary was asked to provide details of the preparedness of government hospitals to treat patents affected by high pollution levels.
“The Commission is of the opinion that there is an immediate need for effective action to be taken by the Union and the State agencies. Proper implementation of the environmental laws is necessary. The state cannot leave its citizens to die due to the toxic haze,” an NHRC statement read.
‘Annual health hazard’
The NHRC observed that toxic smog had become an “annual health hazard” in the beginning of winter.
A combination of stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana, coupled with still weather conditions and an already high level of background pollution led to the particulate matter levels spiking from Tuesday onwards.