The share of burning farm waste led to a fiery exchange in the Supreme Court on Wednesday as it resumed a hearing on the Delhi air pollution crisis after two days. While annual studies have pegged the contribution of stubble burning in neighbouring states between 4-10%, at the peak of Delhi's pollution season, this number has been found to be as high as nearly 50%.
On Monday, the court had directed the Delhi government and central officials to hold an emergency meeting over the pollution and list out the steps that can be taken. The centre and states should consider work-from-home for their employees in and around Delhi, Supreme Court said.
Following the meeting, the Commission for Air Quality Management late Tuesday night said all schools and colleges in Delhi and nearby cities should be closed till further notice. Educational institutions will, therefore, likely return to online classes as held during the Covid lockdown.
A nine-page order issued by the CAQM also advised NCR state governments (Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) to allow at least 50 per cent of staff to work from home till November 21.
Private firms in Delhi NCR must also be "encouraged" to allow at least 50 per cent of their staff to work from home, the order by the CAQM (a subcommittee of the Central Pollution Control Board) said.
The government offices in the city have been directed and the private ones have been advised to let half of their staff work from home.