The Supreme Court of India lashed out at the Union Ministry of Environment on Monday over the rising pollution. The Court said, “Let’s be clear about something, the people of this Country are more important for us than anything.”
The SC’s Green Bench comprising of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta made the statement. They were hearing the issue of ban on import of petcoke.
Petcoke is a toxic fuel used in hazardous industries which contributes to polluting the air. Justice Lokur questioned the Government, “What is more important for you? Saving lives of people of industry?”
Justice Lokur added, “Newspaper reports said 60,000 people died of pollution last year. People are dying in the city. There is huge amount of pollution. People are not supposed to breathe anymore or what?” Further questioning why there was a delay in the imposition of the ban of petcoke.
This issue reached the Supreme Court through an amicus curiae (a friend of the Court) who told the Court the Environment Ministry were least bothered about pollution. The friend submitted a report that read, “When the Ministry of Petroleum is saying ‘please stop import of petcoke,’ the Environment Ministry is not concerned. This report filed by the Ministry of Environment is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ report. They are employing delay tactics.”
Since December 2017, the Apex Court has been urging the Government to move forward with a nationwide ban on petcoke furnace oil. These products are used to power up industries.
