SC seeks EPCA comments on plea questioning its constitution

The Supreme Court on Friday sought comments from the Environment Pollution Control Authority on an application questioning the EPCA's constitution on the ground that it has members only from Delhi.

The SC-empowered EPCA is headed by retired IAS officer Bhure Lal and consists of several members including Centre for Science and Environment Director General Sunita Narain. The authority is tasked with taking steps to curb air pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae in matters related to pollution, told a bench comprising justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta that the plea was "completely misconceived" as the applicant does not know how the EPCA works.

Singh told the bench that EPCA is engaged in monitoring pollution in Delhi-NCR and it consults and deliberates with the chief secretaries of NCR states.

To this, the bench observed, "EPCA can inquire from the chief secretary in case they want help. Chief secretary is a very busy person."