Delhi's air quality improved slightly on Tuesday. Wind speed helped clear some pollution. The AQI shifted from 'severe' to 'very poor'. GRAP-IV restrictions remained in place. Schools continued hybrid learning.

Without being “satisfied that there is a consistent downward trend of AQI, we cannot permit the Commission to go down to stage 3 or stage 2,” the Supreme Court bench said on GRAP measures.

The court noted that there is not much difference in air outside and inside a place and large number of children cannot access air purifiers.

SC raps authorities for poor monitoring of GRAP IV restrictions; directs states to use labour cess to pay subsistence for affected labourers and daily wagers

The Supreme Court on Monday (November 25, 2024) directed the Centre for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately consider and take a call on relaxing GRAP IV restrictions requiring the discontinuation of physical classes in schools and colleges in Delhi and national capital regions.

Supreme Court says that unless satisfied there is consistent decrease in AQI, it can’t order curbs below GRAP-3 or GRAP-2.

Previously, under Stage 3, the state governments could decide whether to halt physical classes for the students up to Class 5 and transition to online learning.

Deliberating on the issue of sections of society affected by restrictions under the fourth stage of the GRAP – like labourers and daily wage workers involved in construction activity – it said all states must use funds collected as labour cess to provide subsistence to them.

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