In a significant reprimand, the Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the governments of Punjab and Haryana for their lack of enforcement against stubble burning, a major environmental and health issue. The apex court has summoned the chief secretaries of both states to appear before it on October 23 to provide an explanation for their inaction.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih expressed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing defiance of the states in addressing the illegal practice of stubble burning, which contributes significantly to air pollution in the region. The justices emphasized that this is not a political issue but a matter of significant public interest and environmental health.
The court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to initiate penal actions against officials from the Haryana and Punjab governments responsible for the oversight. The CAQM, labeled as a “toothless tiger” by the bench, has been under scrutiny for its ineffective measures in curbing air pollution, particularly in Delhi, exacerbated by crop residue burning in the neighboring states.
Highlighting the severity of the issue, the court noted that the Punjab government had not prosecuted a single violator in the past three years, nor has it sought central funds to provide tractors to farmers to help them manage crop residue more sustainably.
