On Friday, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the central air quality panel for not taking adequate steps to monitor the air quality and curb pollution in the national capital region. The next hearing on the matter will be on October 3 next month.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih found that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) did not form any committee to monitor air quality.

“There has been total non-compliance of the Act. Have committees been constituted? Please show us a single step taken, which directions have you used under the Act? Just see the affidavit. Show us a single direction issued under S 12 and others,” Justice Oka said.

Justice Oka added, “It is all in the air, nothing they have shown as to what they have said to the NCR States.”

The court acknowledged that the CAQM had taken some action, but their performance fell short of expectations. Every winter, the National Capital Region (NCR) faces a severe air quality crisis due to factors such as stubble burning in the neighboring states of Haryana and Punjab.

The court directed the CAQM to provide details of their meetings and a more comprehensive compliance report. When informed that the CAQM meets only once every three months, the court questioned whether this frequency was sufficient and whether their decisions were effectively addressing the issue of stubble burning.

The court also inquired about the actions taken against officials who failed to fulfill their responsibilities.

The CAQM chairman Rajesh Verma mentioned that meetings had been held with the officials and pollution boards of Punjab and Haryana, and warnings had been issued to their chief secretaries.

The apex court further asked Verma about the action being taken against the concerned officials. To which, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said that the chairman had recently joined the office.

Verma, however, informed the court that meetings were held with the officials and pollution board of Punjab and Haryana, and they have issued warnings to their chief secretaries.

Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, stated that if their law was being violated, they have the authority to take action. “But they are being silent spectators,” observed the court.

Amid a row over the MUDA scam, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to withdraw its general consent given to CBI to investigate cases in the state.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, after a meeting of Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said that the notification granting general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe criminal cases in Karnataka state, under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, has been withdrawn.

According to section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, the Central Bureau of Investigation needs consent from the respective state governments to conduct investigations in their jurisdiction.

Speaking to PTI, Patil said that the decision was taken because it was clear that the CBI or the central government while using their instrumentalities have not been using them judiciously. “So, case-by-case we will verify and give (consent for CBI probe), general consent has been withdrawn,” he added.

Asked whether this was being done to shield the Chief Minister who is facing a probe in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, Patil said, “On CM there is a court order for Lakayukta probe, so there is no such question.”

He said there is concern being expressed “day-in-and-day-out” that CBI is misused in several cases.

Even in the cases that the state government had given to CBI or the agency had taken up, in several of them chargesheets were not filed, Patil said. “They (CBI) refused to file chargesheets, they refused to probe umpteen number of mining cases.”

On being asked whether the government has done this keeping in mind the demand for CBI probe into Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation fund misappropriation case by the BJP, the Minister said: “It has nothing to do with it as the matter is in court, the court will decide.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called and wished former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 92nd birthday.

Economist and former academician, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Prime Minister during 2004-2014.

Earlier today, PM Modi extended wishes to his predecessor on social media X.

“Birthday greetings to former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray that he is blessed with a long and healthy life,” PM Modi said in his post on X.

The former Prime Minister turned 92 on Thursday, with Congress leaders lauding his contributions. 

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge extended his birthday wishes to the former Prime Minister and a veteran Congress leader on social media platform X.  

On the occasion of his birthday, Kharge said Dr. Singh stands as a rare embodiment of simplicity, dignity and ingenuity in the realm of politics.

“A visionary statesman, whose actions spoke louder than words, we remain deeply grateful for his tremendous and invaluable contributions to the nation. Wishing him good health, happiness and a long life ahead,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended his wishes to Dr. Singh on his birthday and said: “Your humility, wisdom, and selfless service in shaping our country’s future continue to inspire me and millions of Indians. Wishing you good health and happiness always!”

The Congress said the entire life of renowned economist and former Prime Minister Dr. Singh has been dedicated to the country. It added that Dr. Singh has made many public welfare policies keeping in mind the interests, progress, and welfare of all sections of the country.

“On behalf of the Congress family, happy birthday and best wishes to Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of economic prosperity in India. We pray to God for your healthy and long life,” the Congress party said in a post on X.

Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. He is known for implementing major economic reforms in the 1990s as the finance minister. Despite facing opposition, Singh successfully opened up India’s economy and is recognized as a key architect of significant reforms. Dr. Singh is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha.