Recently, Supreme Court Slams Punjab Govt for Stubble Burning. The Punjab government’s soft attitude towards stubble burning is a major contributor to the worrisome air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and S Dhuliar expressed concern that farmers were unfairly portrayed as villains without giving them adequate opportunities to make their case in court..
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR: Supreme Court asks Punjab government to stop the stubble burning. Supreme Court observes that there can't be a political battle all the time.
“We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don't know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped.… pic.twitter.com/VgMWOmBv5l
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023
Hearing various petitions on poor air quality in Delhi, the court stressed the need for expeditious action. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, The Supreme Court Slams Punjab Govt for Stubble Burning and as Delhi government for taking immediate action against the burning of agricultural waste, which seriously increased Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) in a disaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xopNX9X5s&pp=ygVAc3VwcmVtZSBjb3VydCBzbGFtcyBwdW5qYWIgZ292dCBmb3Igc3R1YmJsZSBidXJuaW5nIDIxIHNlcHRlbWJlcg%3D%3D&ab_channel=WION
Quoting a report by the Punjab government, the court pointed out measures taken to discourage farmers from burning paddy straw. Surprisingly, despite more than 8,400 meetings with farmers and officials, the incidence of farm fires has not decreased. As a result, the court questioned the effectiveness of the measures implemented, as well as the portrayal of farmers as the main culprits.
The Supreme Court put pressure on the Bhagwat Mann government to exercise tighter oversight over the financial components of crop residue management. The court was particularly concerned about the cost of developing an alternative to burning stubble. This raises the question of why the process is not completely free and why the administration has not allocated sufficient resources.
The Supreme Court said Punjab should learn from neighboring Haryana by focusing on a successful model. The court said Haryana has drastically reduced tail burning by providing financial incentives to farmers. It advises Punjab to consider a similar strategy to address the problem comprehensively.
Meanwhile, farmers in Punjab demonstrated their dissatisfaction at many government offices Their requests included an end to legal charges against farmers who burn husks, a long-term solution to rice kernels, and an increase in sugarcane rates. They also requested fair compensation for the land acquired under the Bharatmala initiative.
Conclusion for Supreme Court Slams Punjab Govt for Stubble Burning
The Supreme Court’s condemnation emphasizes the vital importance of dealing with stubble-burning situations. It urged the Punjab administration to adopt successful strategies from neighboring states, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and cost-effective approach. It is important to balance environmental concerns with the financial realities of farmers, and concrete measures are needed to reduce the impact of stump burning on air quality and public health in Delhi-NCR.