The Supreme Court today said authorities have to be held responsible for their failure to curb severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR region. A two-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said if authorities do not bother about people, they have no right to be in power.

Coming down heavily on state governments, the top court observed that States have forgotten the concept of welfare government and it was very unfortunate that they are not bothered about poor people.

It also questioned as to why the State governments cannot collect and purchase stubble from farmers. The bench said it is a question of life and death of crores of people and the governments have to be made responsible for this.