Supreme Court Criticizes Punjab and Haryana for Low Compensation to Farmers
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India criticized the state governments of Punjab and Haryana for not prioritizing pollution issue caused by burning of paddy stubble.
Problems with the Air Quality Commission
The court also pointed out that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is not doing enough to stop stubble burning near Delhi. The commission didn’t follow its own orders to prevent these incidents. During a meeting on August 29, only five out of eleven members showed up, and the Supreme Court’s orders were not even talked about.
No Action Taken against Farmers
Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that the CAQM had not taken any legal action against farmers for burning stubble, which was highlighted in a report the commission submitted to the court. The court asked the Centre and CAQM to submit written reports within a week and scheduled the next hearing for October 16.
Concerns about Air Pollution
In a previous hearing on September 27, the Supreme Court criticized the CAQM again for not doing enough to reduce air pollution in Delhi. The court urged the commission to take stronger actions based on the laws meant to manage air quality.
Lack of Compliance
The court expressed frustration over the CAQM’s failure to comply with these laws and asked for proof that the commission's orders are being followed. It also asked the CAQM to make sure that the equipment provided to help farmers manage stubble is actually being used.
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Staffing Issues
The bench raised concerns about not having enough staff in the state pollution control boards. They questioned how these agencies would manage pollution and stubble burning as winter approaches. The court ordered that vacant positions in the pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh should be filled by April 30, 2025.
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