Air pollution: After SC bashing, Delhi shuts schools again
After the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi government for opening of schools amid the rising air pollution levels in the city, the state environment minister Gopal Rai on Thursday announced that all schools in the national capital would be closed from Friday onwards.
The schools in Delhi will remain closed till further orders. This comes after the top court bashed Delhi government for opening schools amid rising air pollution levels in the city.
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The Supreme Court slammed the Delhi government for opening schools amidst the rising pollution level in the city and asked when the government implemented work from home for adults then why children are being forced to go to school.
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"One thing you told me was schools are closed, but schools are now open. Small children have to go in the morning in fog. There is no respect. You say there is work from home option. So elders will stay at home and children will go to school," the apex court said.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for the Delhi government told the top court that the schools were reopened after the pollution levels came down, however, the option of online classes is still there.
"You cannot fire bullets from our shoulders, you have to take steps. You are Government so 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. We also have children, grandchildren. You have to take a call. Don't tell us we have to take a call," the Bench observed.
The Bench pulled the Delhi government saying there is no implementation except assurances and popularity slogans. "Nothing has been followed. While we came to court, there are people sitting in the middle of the road with banners of save the environment, that's why we say only popularity slogans," the apex court observed.
-PTC News
