‘No Efforts Made To Control Stubble Burning Incidents': SC Slams Air Quality Commission

New Delhi: Slamming the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for failing to control incidents of stubble burning, the Supreme Court on Thursday said it has made no effort to implement its direction to prevent such incidents.

A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih said CAQM has not launched a single prosecution against incidents of stubble burning in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.

No Action Being Taken To Control Incidents of Stubble Burning, says SC

The top court mentioned that a meeting on the issue was held only on August 29, with just five out of 11 members in attendance, and noted that the implementation of its directives was not addressed. 

The court also criticized the Punjab and Haryana governments for only imposing nominal penalties on farmers found burning stubble. It ordered the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to submit affidavits within a week and scheduled the next hearing for October 16.

Earlier, the Supreme Court last week directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to speed up the efforts that need to be taken to ensure that stubble-burning alternative equipment is used at the grassroots level.

“CAQM has taken certain steps but needs to be more active and must ensure that its efforts and directions actually translate into reducing the problem of pollution,” the Supreme Court said. 

The Supreme Court also directed the CAQM to file a better compliance report and post the matter for hearing on October 3. 

Be More Active, says SQ To CAQM 

Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that a 'Winter Action Plan', based on 21 focus areas, is ready to tackle pollution during the winter months.

Key areas include vehicle and dust pollution, work-from-home measures, stubble and garbage burning, industrial pollution, upgrading the War Room and Green App, coordination with the central government and neighbouring states, and emergency preparations like the odd-even scheme and artificial rain.

According to the official release, key initiatives include the establishment of a special task force to combat pollution, with the environment department designated as the nodal agency. To address dust pollution, several organizations—including PWD, MCD, DCB, NDMC, DDA, CPWD, I&FC, DSIIDC, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro, NHAI, and the Revenue Department—have been appointed as nodal agencies. Additionally, PWD and MCD will oversee the operation of mobile anti-smog guns.