Supreme Court: In a matter concerning the worsening of air quality in Delhi —National Capital Region, the division bench of Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia, JJ. has directed the Governments of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to take immediate steps to stop stubble burning by farmers in the State as stubble burning is not the only contributor, but a significant factor in Delhi’s poor air quality.
The Court directed the Governments of Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, and Haryana to hold a meeting on 08-11-2023, to ensure that crop burning is stopped forthwith. The Delhi Government was also directed to ensure that municipal solid waste is not burnt in open. Further, it directed the Delhi Government to repair the smog towers, and to ensure that only taxis registered in Delhi are operating in Delhi.
The Court noted that the Central Government is also pursuing a policy to encourage growing traditional crops. Thus, it suggested that a switchover to alternative crops other than paddy is required, so as to ensure that the problem of stubble burning will not occur. For this, the Bench advised that Minimum Support Price should be given to other crops, and not to paddy.
The Court also directed the State of Punjab to strictly implement the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act 2009.
Source: Press