Smog: Plea in NGT for free masks to kids, senior citizens

NEW DELHI: With people thronging shops to buy masks to protect themselves from the thick smog engulfing Delhi, a lawyer today moved the National Green tribunal seeking directions to provide free masks to the school-going children and senior citizens to protect them from pollution.

Lawyer-cum-petitioner Vardhman Kaushik moved a plea before a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar contending that people of Delhi were increasingly being exposed to high air pollution and the most affected section was the young boys and girls in schools.

Kaushik argued in his plea that since Delhi government has failed to implement and execute the orders of the green panel on air pollution, as a punitive measure it should provide free masks.

"In such a life-threatening scenario, the applicant humbly prays that this Tribunal should direct the concerned authorities of Delhi to provide mask to protect from air pollution to the school-going children and senior citizens since it is the primary responsibility...

"Further it is humbly submitted that this Tribunal should direct the school authorities to ensure that the children are wearing the masks to school and also using it properly," the plea, filed through advocates Sanjay Upadhyay and Saliq Shafique, said.

Kaushik has also sought penalty on authorities for not complying with the orders of the Tribunal to curb air pollution and posing grave danger to the lives of the citizens specially the younger generation.