Today, On 24th September, The Supreme Court of India raised concerns over the resurgence of stubble burning, calling for explanations from authorities and emphasizing the urgency of addressing the matter. The Court took note of the issue during a hearing on air pollution in Delhi, where it reiterated its earlier stance that stopping stubble burning is crucial for reducing air pollution.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court sought an explanation from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding the actions being taken against those violating stubble burning restrictions in the country.
The Court addressed the issue in a case related to air pollution in Delhi.
Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Anitha Shenoy raised the matter before a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, stating,
“Stubble burning has begun. I am seeking directions to the CAQM to explain why … and what action they have taken against erring officials.”
In response, Justice Oka remarked,
“Yes, we want answers. We will have it Friday.”
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the CAQM and the Central government, assured that the necessary information would be provided by then.
Stubble burning a method used by farmers to clear their fields by setting fire to the leftover straw or stubble after the harvest of crops like wheat and paddy. This practice is favoured for its simplicity and low cost in preparing fields for the next planting season, but it significantly contributes to air pollution.
The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring stubble burning as one of the key factors in the case addressing the worsening air quality in Delhi. Stubble burning in nearby states is widely recognized as a major contributor to the region’s pollution.
In December of last year, the Supreme Court called for cooperation among all stakeholders to combat air pollution and reduce stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to improve the air quality index (AQI) in these states before the following winter.
As part of this effort, the Court urged the Punjab government to expedite the collection of environmental-compensation fines imposed on farmers violating stubble-burning bans. The Court also emphasized the need for an end to crop fires and stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of both stubble burning and the AQI in Delhi.
In November 2023, the Court strongly recommended that stubble burning be halted entirely. It also expressed skepticism over schemes like the odd-even vehicle rule, implemented by the AAP-led Delhi government, calling them superficial measures in addressing the core issue of air pollution.
The Court also expressed its dissatisfaction with the delays by the Delhi government in executing the Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) projects, which are promoted as a more environmentally friendly transportation alternative.
Additionally, the Court noted that filing criminal cases against farmers for burning paddy stubble is not an effective solution to address air pollution. Instead, it suggested that the government explore withholding minimum support prices (MSP) from farmers who continue to engage in stubble burning as a deterrent.