Supreme Court Criticizes Centre, Haryana, And Punjab Over Stubble Burning And Air Pollution

The Supreme Court has once again strongly criticized the Central Government, along with the governments of Haryana and Punjab, over the ongoing air pollution caused by stubble burning. The court has asked these states, along with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, to submit compliance reports. The next hearing is set for November 4. The court warned that if the situation does not improve, it will issue strict orders.

Selective Action Criticized by Supreme Court

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the selective action taken by the Punjab and Haryana governments. It noted that no strict measures have been implemented to tackle the pollution. The justices questioned the lack of direct action against officials failing to prevent stubble burning and reprimanded the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for merely issuing notices. The Haryana government reported a reduction in stubble burning cases, but Justice Oka dismissed their claim as insufficient.

Center and States Clash Over Responsibility

Punjab’s counsel, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, blamed weak central laws for the state’s inability to take strong action against offenders. Haryana presented measures to curb stubble burning, including registered FIRs and farmer incentive schemes. Punjab requested financial aid to help farmers, but the central government declined repeated funding requests. The court remains unconvinced and warned of stricter action if compliance does not improve.

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