The Supreme Court has asked Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to stop stubble burning to check air pollution in Delhi NCR region. The apex court observed that there can't be a political battle all the time and they want the stubble burning to stop. A bench comprising Justices SK Kaul, Sudhanshu Dhulia and PK Mishra said that something has to be done immediately.
The court also directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to make local SHO responsible for implementing the court's direction on stubble burning under the supervision of DGPs and the Chief Secretary. The apex court also observed that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues are mere optics. It said that a smog tower installed as per earlier order is not working, and directed the government to ensure it is repaired. The next hearing will take place on November 10.
After hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocate Vikas Singh, Gopal Sankaranarayanan and amicus curiae senior advocate Aparajita Singh and others, the bench said there are many tipping points of the problem, apart from the stubble burning and vehicular pollution.
"The residents of Delhi are suffering because we fail to find solutions to the aggravated problem in this period," the bench said.
"This has been ongoing for five years. It is time to do something. The matter requires immediate attention and court monitoring," the bench added.
The court also directed the Centre to consider phasing out paddy cultivation in Punjab, even though it is not a native crop, by giving out MSPs on other alternative crops like millets.
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