SC rejects Centre's proposal on stubble burning, slams Haryana govt

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta on Wednesday rejected the Centre’s proposal regarding stubble burning and also slammed the Haryana government for its failure to curb this practice. Initially, Attorney General KK Venugopal suggested that Punjab and Haryana should be divided into zones and each zone should be allowed to burn stubble on specific days. Reacting to this, Justice Mishra expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms. He contended that the government provided subsidies to farmers but failed to provide any solution to put an end to stubble burning. On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Centre was giving machines in Haryana at a subsided rate.  

Read: SC Calls For Urgent Centre & State Govt Action Into Pollution Crisis

Haryana government directed to purchase the stubble

Thereafter, Justice Mishra demanded an explanation from the Chief Secretary of Haryana on the continued burning of crops. Highlighting that the farmers had the machinery, but the procedure cost Rs.2,000, the latter mentioned that the Haryana government was creating awareness among the farmers. Calling this a failure, Justice Mishra said that the administration in Haryana was worse than Punjab. He reckoned that it was too late to make people aware now and directed the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government to procure the stubble, irrespective of the costs involved.  

Read: SC Questions Logic Behind The Delhi Govt's Odd-Even; Seeks Report

Read: SC Asks CBI To File Status Report In Rajiv Gandhi Assasination Case

Tackling air pollution

The Delhi government has embarked on the Odd-Even scheme from November 4 to reduce air pollution, which implies that vehicles with odd and even number plates will ply on alternate days. Women-driven vehicles, cars ferrying school children, taxis, ministers of the Central government have been exempted from the ambit of this scheme. The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and PM Narendra Modi have also reviewed the situation arising out of the menace of pollution. 

Read: BJP's Vijay Goel Deliberately Flouts Odd-Even Rule, Gets Fined Rs 4000