New Delhi, 17 September (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the government to consider strict action to prevent strict action, to consider strict action, including arrest, a major factors contributing to ‘serious’ air quality in Delhi-NCR during winter.
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justion K. Vinod Chandran, a bench, was hearing a SUO MOTU case regarding vacant posts in state pollution control boards and pollution control committees, aimed at controlling air pollution in Delhi and its nearby areas.
After informing the apex court, last year, farmers were asked several times to burn the stubble, when the satellites did not pass in the region, the CJI Gavai -led bench asked Additional Advocate General Aishwarya Bhati to whether the government was considering the punitive provisions to address the issue.
“Why don’t you think about some fine provisions? If some people are behind bars, this will send the right message. Why do you not think about some punishment provisions for farmers. If you have the real intention to protect the environment, why shy?” The apex court commented.
“Farmers are special and we are eating because of them, but this does not mean that they can take advantage and we cannot protect the environment,” said CJI Gavai -led bench.
To give time to the central government to discuss the issue with all the stakeholders, the apex court indicated that it would otherwise pass a judicial order that makes strict measures against those who continue to engage in stubble burning.
Assisting in the apex court, Amicus Curia and Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh presented that despite offering subsidies and equipment to farmers, “farmers have the same story”.
Singh said, “I am sorry to say that since 2018, the Supreme Court has passed a comprehensive order, and they (states) request only helplessness in front of you.”
On the other hand, senior advocate Rahul Mehra, who was present for the Punjab government, said that measures are going on to reduce air pollution in the state.
Mehra said, “It came down last year and will go down now. A lot has been achieved in the last three years and we will achieve a lot more this year.”
He further stated that arrest of farmers on small scale would adversely affect the livelihood of their families, and that the ‘red entry’ mechanisms-which prevents farmers from reaching the grain markets and is a larger preventive than online portal-corrections.
For this, the CJI Gawai -led bench clarified, “Not as a routine. But to send a message.” The apex court will consider taking the case next week for further hearing.
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PDS/Red