Don’t play politics over pollution: NGT chief

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman, Justice Swatanter Kumar, has urged political parties to unite to find a solution to the issue of smog and pollution. “The issue should not be made a political agenda as it concerns the lives of our children,” he said. Justice Kumar also appreciated the role played by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the stubble-burning issue.

He said the NGT would announce its decision on the stubble-burning issue in the next 24 hours. It might also issue guidelines related to controlling smog in Delhi, the NCR and nearby areas. Justice Kumar was at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy in Sector 43 today to attend an exhibition and dialogue on “Environmental changes: Its effect on health and economy”. He was the chief guest at the event.

 The dialogue was followed by a panel discussion, hosted by the Serving in Organisations for Legal Initiatives (SIOLI) and the Punjab and Haryana Bar Association. 

Justice Kumar said, “Our Constitution talks about social and economic security, but it does not talk about environment conservation. I suggest we should have clean environment as our fundamental right to achieve social and economic prosperity.” He said, “We are talking about clean air in Delhi, but it cannot happen unless the state governments of Punjab, Haryana and UP come together.”