Supreme Court Urges Immediate Action to Curb Stubble Burning in Punjab

The Supreme Court issued a stern reprimand to the Punjab government on Tuesday regarding stubble burning, emphasizing the need to take immediate action to curb the issue. The court stressed that political battles should not hinder efforts to tackle the problem, stating, "We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don't know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped. Something has to be done immediately."

Additionally, the Supreme Court shifted responsibility to the Central government, suggesting that it should discontinue support for the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy in Punjab and instead promote alternative crops. The court pointed out, "The government has been propagating millets. Why not promote it?"

This discussion comes in the wake of the continued problem of stubble burning in the region. On Monday, Punjab reported over 2,000 farm fires, contributing to 'severe' and 'very poor' air quality indices in parts of Haryana and 'poor' air quality in border areas. Stubble-burning incidents from November 1 to November 6 accounted for 61 percent of the total cases in the current season. Although the total incidents of 19,463 were 35 percent less than last year during the same period, they still significantly impact air quality and contribute to pollution, especially in Delhi.

The Supreme Court also directed Rajasthan and other states to adhere to its earlier orders on the regulation of firecrackers during the festive season, highlighting the need for collective responsibility in managing pollution.

"Pollution is not the sole responsibility of the courts; it is the duty of everybody," the court emphasized in its efforts to address environmental concerns and air quality improvement.

With Agencies Input