Authorities in Delhi on Thursday ordered schools to shut indefinitely after the country’s top court criticised the resumption of physical classes amid dangerous levels of air pollution and demanded action.
The closure order came after the Supreme Court gave the federal and Delhi governments 24 hours to combat industrial and vehicular pollution, the two major causes of Delhi’s toxic air.
Chief Justice of India N V Ramana asked why adults were able to work remotely while children were expected to attend classes in person.
“Elders have to work from home and children have to go to school?” Mr Ramana said.
Delhi’s schools only reopened on Monday after the Supreme Court ordered their closure on November 13 because of high levels of air pollution, initially for a period of one week.
The Indian capital ranks among the world’s most polluted cities and is enveloped in thick smog every winter. The pollution is made worse by farmers in states around the capital burning the stubble of harvested crops to prepare their fields for the next planting season.
The Delhi government ordered the closure of polluting industries and banned construction activity in recent weeks after the top court asked it to take immediate action.
Delhi’s air pollution was in the severe category on Thursday, with levels of PM2.5 – the fine particles linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis and lung disease – reaching 400 in some areas, according to the government's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research. Levels from 151 to 200 are considered unhealthy.
Health experts say breathing in the toxic air can cause short and long-term respiratory and cardiac illnesses, including in children, and advise against exposure to outdoor air.
Schools in the capital went online in March 2020 when the country imposed a weeks-long coronavirus lockdown but resumed physical classes in a staggered manner in recent months before the pollution crisis deepened in early November.
In previous years, the Delhi government regularly closed schools to protect children from breathing the toxic air.
Many parents were concerned over the reopening of schools in the city, which is battling coronavirus and pollution.
“I have not sent my son for physical classes … it is a huge risk. I am happy that the schools have been shut. If this protects the children’s health then so be it,” Runa Kaushal, 35, mother of a 12-year-old pupil in Delhi, told The National.
But some parents said the move was cosmetic, accusing the government of ignoring the root cause of the city’s pollution scourge amid concerns that frequent and long absence from schools was hampering children’s growth.
“Since we are living in a polluted city, the air kids breathe doesn’t change. Closing schools indefinitely is just making a futile attempt at showing that something is being done, but nothing really,” said Amit Deb, 37, whose daughter was kept off school by the closures.
Deep Narayan Tewari, principal of the city's renowned Laxman Public School, called the frequent closures an “eccentric response”.
Mr Tiwari said that the long closure of schools was worrying because it will severely affect the physical, social and psychological behaviour of the children.
“They make decisions at the drop of a hat. Such frequent closures are affecting the physical and psychological health of children. If they can go to malls and markets, they can certainly attend physical classes,” he said.
“School is not just a place for academic learning, but physical and sports activities as well. The children have pent-up anxiety due to such frequent decisions since the pandemic and we do not know how to handle them once they return to schools,” Mr Tewari said.
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A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
