Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of M C Mehta Vs Union of India & Others dated 12/12/2024.

As regards the payment of the subsistence allowance to the construction workers which could not get any income for the period from November 18, 2024 to December 5, 2024 the concerned state governments would ensure that every affected construction worker is paid the subsistence allowance. With respect to the issue about the number of registered workers on the dashboard of the Delhi Building and other Construction Worker Welfare Board. "Whether it is a Delhi Government or the other Governments, the emphasis should be not only on registration but on ascertaining the actual number of workers who were deprived of income during this period," said the court.

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The SC directed all concerned state governments to file comprehensive affidavits dealing with this part of the compliance by January 3, 2025. The apex court made it clear that SC would continue to monitor this compliance till the court is satisfied that "every eligible worker has been paid the subsistence allowance".

The order also dealt with the issue of ban on the use of firecrackers in the NCR states. The SC directed the concerned state governments to place their decision on record regarding a complete ban on use of firecrackers throughout the year. "The   ban   on firecrackers   will   be   helpful   not   only   to   curb   the   air pollution   but   the   noise   pollution   as   well," the SC said. The court also said that ban on the use of firecrackers would also include the ban on manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of firecrackers.