The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down hard on the Punjab and central governments and advised them against politicising the issue of stubble-burning. The court, while discussing options to end the practice of stubble-burning during a hearing in the Delhi air pollution case, mooted the idea of barring those involved in starting farm fires from monetary benefits such as MSP on paddy.
“On an MSP basis, why should anything be taken from the farmers who light the fires? I’m thinking out loud… Why should there by any purchase under MSP system from these people? Stick must also follow the carrot. Why should people who violate law benefit monetarily…,” Live Law quoted Justice Kaul as saying.
Also Read:Kerala govt moves Supreme Court over delayed consideration of 8 bills by Governor
The top court also questioned the Punjab government’s approach towards curbing stubble burning and observed that the state was a major contributor to the alarming air pollution crises in the national capital. The court asked why the process of crop residue management wasn’t made 100% free.
The bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and S Dhulia ordered Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to report cases of open burning waste directed towards multiple regions, including Ghaziabad, Loni, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, with the Court urging action from all concerned parties to address the suffering caused by pollution.
Also Read:Adani-Hindenburg row: Plea in SC seeks contempt action against SEBI
“Why do you not make it 100% free? To burn it, all he needs to do is light a matchstick. Machine is not everything. Even if you give the machine for free, there’s a diesel cost, manpower,” the SC observed, as per Live Law.
Expressing concern over the adverse environmental impact of burning crop residue, the court highlighted the need to provide effective solutions to farmers, stating, “Farmers are being made villains. They must have some reasons for burning stubble.”
Government reports revealed the extensive efforts made by the Punjab administration, including over 8,000 meetings held with farmers to discourage burning paddy straw, leading to the lodging of 984 FIRs against landowners who resorted to burning.
The Supreme Court, observing the blame game between the state government and Union government, stated that they must forget the politics of it and figure out a solution, urging both the state and Union governments to transcend political differences and focus on resolving this critical issue.
“Report filed by State of Punjab suggests that 8481 meetings have been held with farmers and farm leaders to convince them to not burn paddy straws by SHOs…984 FIRs have been lodged, and AG states that they have been filed against landowners. Environmental compensation amounting to more than Rs 2 crores has been imposed of which Rs 18 lakhs has been recovered. The remaining amount should also be recovered…,” the court noted in its order.
The court underscored the lack of accountability, asserting that their role is not to determine the method but to ensure the execution of necessary measures. It criticized the failure to comply with previous orders and directives, underlining the need for prompt action and accountability.