SC takes strict take on Punjab govt for continued stubble burning

The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the Punjab government for its handling of stubble burning, a major contributor to the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR. While hearing petitions on Delhi's deteriorating air quality, the court directed both the Punjab and Delhi governments to take immediate action against the burning of agricultural waste.

Farmers as Villans for stubble burning

The court expressed concern that farmers were being portrayed as villains without being given a fair hearing. According to the Supreme Court, despite the Punjab government's efforts, including 8,481 meetings with farmers and farm leaders, the trend of farm fires has not diminished. It noted that 984 FIRs were filed against landowners for stubble burning, with an environmental compensation of over ₹2 crore imposed, of which ₹18 lakh has been recovered. The court urged the Punjab government to learn from Haryana's approach to provide financial incentives and explore ways to make the crop residue process entirely free for farmers. [caption id="" data-align="alignnone" data-width="885"] Stubble Burning by Farmer[/caption] Highlighting the issue of depleting water tables leading to arid land in Punjab, the court warned of broader consequences and called for an understanding of the impacts of growing paddy. The court suggested exploring alternatives to rice cultivation and recommended a committee to assess the long-term consequences and find ways to encourage the shift to alternate crops. In a plea to set aside political differences, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for collective action by state and Union governments to address the pressing issue of air pollution. The court warned that if the blame game continues, it could lead to further environmental degradation, including the depletion of land and water resources.

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