Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Punjab government, faced sharp criticism from the bench.
Supreme Court on Punjab and Haryana, Air Pollution in Delhi latest news: Supreme Court on Air Pollution in Delhi latest news: The Supreme Court today issued a stern reprimand to the Punjab and Haryana governments regarding the escalating pollution in Delhi-NCR, with a focus on the continued issue of stubble burning. During the hearing, the court expressed frustration over the lack of effective measures to combat the problem, particularly criticizing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for failing to take strong action.
Manu Singhvi Faces Court’s Ire
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Punjab government, faced sharp criticism from the bench. When Singhvi tried to argue, the judge interrupted, stating, "Don't force us to say anything," questioning whether it was realistic for only five cases to have been registered this year, as Singhvi had claimed.
Governments Breaking the Law
The court accused the Punjab and Haryana governments of violating the fundamental rights of citizens by not taking meaningful action against stubble burning, which significantly contributes to air pollution in the region. The bench remarked that if the states were serious about enforcing the law, there would be more accountability. It noted that Punjab registered FIRs in 1,080 cases of stubble burning but collected fines from only 473 individuals. The court accused the government of signaling leniency to violators, saying, "This has been happening for the past three years."
Changing Data and Inconsistent Action
The Chief Secretary of Haryana reported 400 cases of stubble burning and 32 FIRs, but the court expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that Haryana’s data seemed to change frequently. The Supreme Court raised concerns about the state's selective punishment approach, noting that only a few people were fined, while others were let off. The court further pressed the Chief Secretary for details on what measures were being taken to provide farmers with alternatives for stubble disposal. The Haryana government responded that nearly 100,000 machines had been distributed to aid in stubble management, resulting in fewer fires.
Court’s Final Warning
The Supreme Court's strong stance reflects growing frustration with the inaction of state authorities. It reiterated that both Punjab and Haryana must take more decisive measures to protect citizens' right to clean air. The court warned that failure to act could result in stronger judicial intervention.
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