On Tuesday, the Supreme Court instructed the governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to submit sworn statements outlining the actions they have taken to mitigate air pollution.

A three-judge panel led by Justice SK Kaul has ordered these governments to submit a sworn affidavit within one week. The panel, which also includes Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and P K Mishra, highlighted that crop burning is a significant contributor to the air pollution issue in Delhi.

"The states in question are required to submit a formal written statement outlining the actions they have taken to address the situation. We are specifically asking the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to provide this statement within a week. The matter will be scheduled for another hearing on November 7," the court stated.

The court also instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to present a summary in a structured format detailing the outcome during the period when the issue initially arose and the present on-ground conditions. This summary should encompass key factors such as the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the frequency of agricultural field fires.

CAQM is an independent organization with the responsibility of enhancing the air quality in Delhi and its surrounding regions.