Stubble burning: Supreme Court seeks explanation on lack of legal action against violators in Haryana, Punjab
The Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned the state chief secretaries of Haryana and Punjab to be physically present in court on October 23 and explain why no legal action has been taken against those involved in stubble burning in the two states. The SC also directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take penal action against Haryana and Punjab government officials for their failure to act against the violators.
Nothing has been done in Haryana, Punjab: SC
The directions came from an SC bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih in a case related to the rise in air pollution in Delhi and the non-compliance with its previous order by the two states.
"This is not a political matter. If the chief secretary is acting at somebody's behest, we will issue summons against them as well. Next Wednesday, we are going to physically call the chief secretary to explain everything. Nothing has been done; the same is with the Punjab government. The attitude is of complete defiance," the bench said.
Just 17 cases in Haryana
The court noted that not even a single prosecution has been carried out in the past three years in Punjab, while just 17 cases have been registered in Haryana.
"You are just taking a nominal fine only. ISRO is telling you the location where fire was taking place, and you say that you do not find anything. 191 cases of breach and only a nominal fine taken. Absolute defiance of direction by the commission under Section 12 of the Commission of Air Quality Management in the NCT region Act 2021. Complete defiance by Haryana," the Court said.
Stubble burning and air pollution in Delhi??
Stubble burning is a controversial practice followed by paddy farmers in Punjab and Haryana, where the crop residue is burned in the open to clear the field for the next crop. Stubble burning, which coincides with the onset of winter in North India, is a major contributor to the rise in air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR during that time of the year.
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