Pollution: What''s more important, saving lives or industry, SC asks govt

Satya Prakash

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the government over pollution crisis, which it said led to 60,000 deaths last year.

The court slammed the government saying, “What's more important -- saving lives or industry?”

 A Bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur 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?" it asked the Ministry of Environment during hearing of issue relating to ban on pet coke.

The Bench was angry to know that the MoEF was studying the issue for a long time.

The court -- which is dealing with EPCA's demand for regulating the import of pet coke -- asked the Ministry if Environment and Forests to discuss the issue with EPCA and come out with a policy on regulating pet coke import.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also supported the idea of regulating the import of pet coke.

The top court had earlier banned use of pet coke in NCR.

EPCA clarified that there is no blanket ban on import of pet coke in the country but its import should be regulated.