Supreme Court warns of jail for stubble burners, calls for strict action to combat Delhi-NCR pollution
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Wednesday suggested that jailing certain individuals involved in stubble burning could “send the correct message” in the fight against air pollution, emphasising that protecting the environment is as important as recognising farmers’ contributions.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while hearing arguments on air pollution issues in Delhi-NCR, including stubble burning and firecrackers, highlighted that farmers play a vital role in providing food to the nation. However, he stressed that this does not exempt anyone from environmental responsibilities.
“If some people are behind bars, it will send the correct message. Why don’t you consider penalty provisions for agriculturists? If the real intention is to protect the environment, why shy away?” CJI Gavai remarked, addressing senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the State of Punjab. The comments followed submissions by amicus curiae Aparajita Singh regarding stubble burning.
The Chief Justice also noted that stubble can be used for biofuels, but warned that environmental protection should not be treated as a sporadic effort. “Farmers are special, and we are eating because of them. But it does not mean that we cannot protect the environment,” he said.
Earlier, the Bench had questioned why the year-round firecracker ban applied only to the Delhi-NCR region and not nationwide. “If citizens in NCR are entitled to pollution-free air, why not the people of other cities? Just because the Supreme Court is situated here should not mean only they get clean air,” CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran had noted.
The court also directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management to fill all vacancies within three months. Additionally, states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab, were ordered to address pending vacancies in their pollution control boards promptly.
Notably, air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR spike every winter, with stubble burning and firecrackers identified as major contributors.
- With inputs from agencies
