"Don't use our shoulder. You are the government, you have to take action.": CJI

Shiksha Dev |THE DEN|

The Supreme Court of India criticized the Delhi government on Thursday for reopening schools and exposing young children to pollution-related health hazards, while its employees were allowed to work from home. Centre, Delhi has been given a 24-hour deadline for a realistic action plan to curb pollution by the Supreme Court. "We take your statements in court seriously and true. One thing you told was schools are closed. But schools are not closed. Small children have to go in the morning in fog. There’s no respect? See today’s paper. Children are going. I know children who are going to school. Don’t attract orders. Everything we need not tell you. We respect you. So elders have work from home and children have to go to school?" Chief Justice NV Ramana said hearing a case related to Delhi's air pollution.\

In response to the city's high pollution level, the Delhi government suspended physical education classes in schools. Exams are now being held at many schools since November 29. "Despite the rise in air pollution levels, we see nothing happening," the Apex Court stated.

"As a layman, I am asking this. The question is the day when the matter started, we started monitoring, you started making loud statements. If so many efforts were implemented, you think pollution would have gone further?" the CJI asked.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government said only willing parents are sending their kids to schools. "If your lordship says, we will stop that," Singhvi said.

"Don't use our shoulder. You are the government, you have to take action. You are saying whoever wants to come, come; you want to stay at home, stay. If you give an option, everyone will come, who wants to stay at home," the CJI said.

Despite a 'very poor' air quality rating on Wednesday, Delhi's pollution increased on Thursday. According to the website of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Indian capital Delhi's air quality index (AQI) at 7 am on Thursday was 416. AQI for Wednesday was 370 on average for the city.