SC slams Delhi govt over vacant posts in Pollution Control Committee
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticised the Delhi government for failing to fill vacancies in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), directing that all 204 sanctioned posts be filled by September 2025.
A Bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that only 83 of the 204 posts had been filled so far and called out the “laxity” of the Delhi administration. “We cannot tolerate the laxity shown by the Delhi government, especially when Delhi is worst affected by air pollution,” the Bench remarked. It warned that failure to fill the remaining posts by the stipulated deadline would amount to “aggravated contempt” and directed the state government to file an affidavit on the status of compliance by October 15.
The court further ordered that the process of filling anticipatory vacancies must begin at least six months in advance to avoid staffing gaps in the future. During the hearing, counsel representing the Delhi government requested six months’ time and assured that all posts would be filled by the end of the year. However, the court questioned the delay, stating, “Why end of the year? The board is set up by the government. The government can’t say they’ll take six months to fill in. In the affidavit, it’s not even written when the process will start, when the advertisement will be published, etc.”
In a previous hearing on May 8, the apex court had chastised the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan for failing to comply with its earlier order dated August 2024, which required all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and committees to fill existing vacancies by April 30 this year. The court noted that 55 per cent of positions in the DPCC remained vacant, effectively rendering the body “virtually defunct”.
Issuing contempt notices to the chief secretaries of the four states, the court sought explanations as to why they should not be punished under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, for non-compliance. It also took note of a 21 per cent vacancy rate in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and ordered that those posts be filled by August 2025.
The court further highlighted the urgent need to modernise infrastructure, directing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to assess the current functioning of SPCBs and related bodies, including the technology and equipment being used. The CAQM was instructed to submit its findings and recommendations by the end of July to the CPCB and pollution control boards of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Necessary action, including procurement of proper equipment, is to follow based on these recommendations.
Additionally, the Supreme Court directed the central government to ensure that all vacant posts in the CAQM are filled by August 2025.
With PTI inputs