"It Must Be Stopped": Supreme Court Orders Punjab Government To Stop Stubble Burning (image:twitter.com/AdvAshutoshBJP)
As the deteriorating air quality in Delhi raises concern, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Punjab government to stop stubble burning. The court pointed out that it can”t be a political battle all the time. “We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don”t know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped. Something has to be done immediately,” Supreme Court told the Punjab government.
The apex court directed Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to stop crop burning “forthwith”, and made local State House Officer, under the supervision of the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, to execute court”s instruction.
The court also criticised the Delhi government as well. “Delhi government also must be responsible. There are many buses running that pollute and run at half capacity. You have to attend to the problem,” the court said. The apex court, then, directed the government to ensure that smog tower is repaired, since earlier one is not working. It added that one of the key factor contributing to Delhi”s air pollution, vehicular emission should also be looked at.
The court comprising Justice SK Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia put responsibility on Central government and suggested that to reduce stubble burning a switchover to alternative crops in Punjab should be promoted and government should stop supporting minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
Meanwhile, a thick cloud of smog continue cast over Delhi-NCR region as AQI remain in “severe” past seven days. Delhi air pollution worsened recently due to stubble burning, and low wind speed.
