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Informist, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to submit their responses on the steps taken by them to control stubble burning. The apex court will hear the case on rising air pollution levels in Delhi-National Capital Region and the issue of stubble burning in the neighbouring states on Monday.

 

The top court was informed on Tuesday by an amicus curiae that the air quality has reached a hazardous stage in Delhi-National Capital Region with some places crossing air quality index of more than 450. Last week, the apex court had called for a status report from the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas after it was informed that most of the air quality monitoring stations were shut during Diwali.

 

In September, the top court had observed that sending some farmers behind bars for stubble burning would send a strong message to others and act as a deterrent. A bench, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, had said while farmers are important for the country, it cannot mean that they are allowed to continue stubble burning unchecked. 

 

"Why don't you (Punjab government) think of some penalty provisions? If some people are behind bars, it will send the correct message. If you have a real intention of protecting the environment, then why shy away? I had read in newspapers that this (stubble left behind by crops) can also be used as biofuels. We cannot make this a five yearly exercise. Farmers are special and we are eating because of them but it does not mean that we cannot protect the environment," said Chief Justice Gavai. 

 

Last year, the Supreme Court had summoned the chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana for failing to comply with the Commission for Air Quality Management's directives on stubble burning and air pollution. Referring to Punjab, the court had said stubble and paddy straw burning continued unabated, and the state government does not want to do anything under The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Punjab's advocate general responded that implementing the commission's directions on the ground was difficult, adding that state officials were previously mistreated by locals while trying to enforce them.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

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