MC MEHTA VS UNION OF INDIA

By:- Punya Rai

NAME OF THE CASECASE- MC MEHTA VS UNION OF INDIA 
CITATION1991 SCR (1) 866
1991 SCC (2) 353
DATE OF THE CASE                  14 MARCH 1991
PETITIONERM.C MEHTA
RESPONDENTS  UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.
BENCH /JUDGES                       MISRA   RANGNATH (CJ)
CONSTITIUION INVOLVEDTHE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA ACT 1949. THE AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POPULATION) 1981. 
THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION   ACT) 1986.
IMPORTANT SECTIONS       THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA ACT 1949 (ART 48 A, 51 A, 32)

ABSTRACT:

This was very well said in the declaration of the united nations conference held in Stockholm in 1972 that (Man is both creator and molder of his environment which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social, and spiritual growth). This case analysis is all about the writ petition which was filed by M.C MEHTA requesting the court to pass appropriate orders for the reduction of Vehicular Pollution in Delhi.

INTRODUCTION:

Vehicular pollution is one of the direct results of economic growth. With the introduction of economic reforms in 1991 in India, there has tremendous growth in the industrial sector due to which the economy of the country grew by 2.63 times to 3.47 times but it somewhat expensive when the public health was suffered and the vehicular pollution reached 7.5 times.

Air pollution in India is highest in Delhi. The major sources are motor vehicles, thermal power plants and the industry. The contribution of the motor vehicle is estimated to be about 64 per cent as the highest,16 per cent from the thermal power plant and the remaining 12 per cent from the industry. The case was taken up by the supreme court of India via a writ petition filed by M.C Mehta who is regarded as a pioneer in the field of environment law for closing down the hazardous industry located in the densely populated areas of Delhi and the case was alternatively known as Vehicular Pollution case in Delhi.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE:

When the country gain independence in 1947 Delhi has a population of about 5 lakhs and this in little more than two scores of year the population has been multiplied by 18 times. The union territory of Delhi has a total population of 96 lakhs out of which the urban area consisting of old Delhi, New Delhi and the cantonment Of Delhi has a population of 90 lakhs.  The major source of pollutants released daily is 65 percent from two wheelers. M.C Mehta urged the court to investigate the case not just from a perspective of litigation but to move forward with useful solutions can be found.

FACTS OF THE CASE:

In this case M.C. Mehta urged the Court to look into this case not just from a perspective of litigation but to move forward with useful deliberations so that some concrete solutions can be found. He presented them with some literature and gadgets which could reduce vehicular pollution Both the respondent and petitioner were working on the environment but in different forms and having different views about it.

ARGUMENTS IN AND AGAINST THE CASE

The Supreme Court acknowledged that the problem of environmental pollution is a global one. The effect of pollution is not restricted by the political boundaries of a country or a state. Its effect is widespread has both direct and indirect.

The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972 stated that – “Man is both creature and molder of his environment which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has been reached when, through rapid acceleration of science and technology, man has acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale. Both aspects of man’s environment, the natural and the man-made, are essential to his well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights-even of life itself.”

Principle Number 1 of the same Declaration states that “man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.”

Court placed reliance on Article 48A and Article 51A of the Constitution of India –

Article 48A states that “the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.”

 Article 51A (g) states that “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.

The Court took cognisance of the ‘report of a monitoring Committee on ambient and automotive emission levels’ prepared by the Director of Transport, Delhi Administration, to assess the impact of pollution caused by vehicles on the air of Delhi.

Respondent 3 was the Central Pollution Control Board set up by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.[1] The statute authorises the government to instruct the Transport Authorities for developing expertise and reducing vehicular pollution. M.C. Mehta urged the Court to look into this case not just from a perspective of litigation but to move forward with useful deliberations so that some concrete solutions can be found. He presented them with some literature and gadgets which could reduce vehicular pollution. The Court mooted the question of eliminating use of motor spirit and replacement of battery operated two-wheeler. The Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturer made an application for intervention and presented some technical aspects. Therefore, the Court also mooted the question of setting up a committee which is capable of dealing with such technical aspects of Vehicular pollution.

JUDGEMENTS:

The Supreme Court kept this writ petition pending for the purpose of monitoring and passed the following interim orders –

  1.  The importance of protection of the environment, life, flora and fauna under Article 51 A and Directive principles of state policy. Therefore, it is the duty of the state to protect the environment.
  1. All persons using automobiles should have a fair idea of the harmful effects on the environment due to the emissions caused by their vehicles. Awareness is an effective way of reducing the environmental pollution.
  1. A committee was set up to investigate the problem of Vehicular Pollution in Delhi and to find methods to arrest pollution. This committee was composed of a retired judge of the Supreme Court acting as the Chairman of the committee, M.C. Mehta (the petitioner), the Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and a person representing the Association of the Indian Automobiles Manufacturers. The members were given the power to take advice from not more than three members. The Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forests was appointed as the Convener-Secretary of the Committee. This committee came into effect from 18th March 1991 under the Notification of the Union Government.

OBJECTIVES:

(i)To assess the technologies available for vehicular pollution control in the world.

(ii) To assess the current status of technology available in India for controlling vehicular pollution.

(iii) To look at the low-cost alternatives for operating vehicles at reduced pollution levels in the metropolitan cities of India.

(iv) To examine the feasibility of measures to reduce/eliminate pollution from motor vehicles both on a short term and long-term basis and make appropriate recommendations in this regard.

  1. To make specific recommendations on the administrative/legal regulations required for implementing the recommendations in (iii) above.  4. This committee was ordered to furnish a report to the Supreme Court within two months stating the steps taken in the matter. The Union Government and Delhi Administration were directed to effectively cooperate with the committee for its smooth operation.

CONCLUSION:

This was a landmark judgment with respect to Vehicular pollution in India. Later the Supreme Court also passed orders for the provision of Lead-free petrol in the country and for the use of natural gas and other mode of fuels for use in the vehicles. Lead free petrol was introduced in four metropolitan cities in 1995. All cars manufactured after 1995 were fitted with catalytic convertors to reduce emissions. CNG outlets have been setup to provide CNG gas to vehicles. As a result of this case Delhi became the first city in the world to have a complete public transport running on Compressed Natural Gas.

REFERENCES:

  1. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, No. 14, Acts of Parliament, 1986 (India)
  2. Indiankanoon.org

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Aditya

    That’s too informative. Thanks.

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