New Delhi: The Union government on Friday, December 3 informed the Supreme Court, through an affidavit that it has constituted a five-member ‘Enforcement Task Force’ under the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas to enforce various pollution control measures and curb the deteriorating air quality situation in the capital, Live Law reported.The affidavit, filed by the director of the Commission, noted that the task force will “exercise powers of taking punitive and preventive measures against the non-compliant/defaulting persons/entities”, according to a report by the Indian Express.It further noted that 17 ‘flying squads’ have been constituted which will be reporting directly to the Task Force. These flying squads began functioning from Thursday, December 2, and have reportedly conducted surprise checks at 25 sites already.The number of flying squads is set to be increased to 40 within the next 24 hours.The affidavit comes a day after the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Union and Delhi government’s for their failure to control rising air pollution levels in and around the national capital. While hearing the matter on Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice N.V.Ramana and Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant chastised the Delhi government for not properly implementing the solutions it had suggested, such as a closure of schools and work-from-home plans. It even dubbed the AAP government’s ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign as a “popularity slogan” and gave the government 24 hours to take action on air pollution.The Supreme Court bench had also expressed concerns over the health of the civil volunteers who are part of the AAP’s ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign. Photo: PTI.Also read: Schools in Delhi to Be Closed Until Further Notice Because of Air Pollution: GovtFollowing the apex court’s criticisms, the Union government affidavit noted that all schools and colleges in the National Capital Region (NCR) – which had earlier been providing students with the option to attend classes online – will remain closed until further notice.Only trucks using CNG or electric power and/or carrying essential commodities will be allowed to enter the NCR, according to the affidavit.What’s more, industrial units in the region which are not operating on Piped Natural Gas (PNG) or other cleaner fuels will only be allowed to operate for eight hours a day and not at all on weekends. Of the 11 thermal power plants within a 300 km radius of Delhi, only five will be allowed to operate until December 15 at the earliest. The Supreme Court is slated to hear the matter again later today.