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SC directs Punjab, Haryana to file affidavits on steps taken to control air pollution
Three-judge bench, headed by justice SK Kaul, directed the state governments to file an affidavit within a week, terming crop burning as one of the main reasons for air pollution in Delhi
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to file affidavits stating steps taken by them to control air pollution.
A three-judge bench, headed by justice SK Kaul, directed the state governments to file an affidavit within a week. The bench also comprising justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and PK Mishra said crop burning is one of the main reasons for air pollution in Delhi.
Also read: Punjab farm fires over 1,000 for 2nd straight day
The top court had earlier sought a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on the steps being taken to control air pollution in and around Delhi.
The incidents of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana since September 15, when the paddy harvesting started in the two agrarian states, has reduced by around 56% and 40%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the CAQM data.
The cumulative number of farm fires in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and the National Capital Region (NCR) areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh has reduced from 13,964 in 2022 to 6,391 in 2023 between September 15 and October 29, the data said.
There were 11,461 stubble burning cases in the corresponding period in 2021, it said.
In Punjab, there were 5,254 farm fire incidents during this 45-day period this year, compared to 12,112 in 2022 and 9,001 in 2021, a reduction of 56.6% and 41.6%, respectively.
Haryana reported 1,094 stubble burning cases during this period this year and it is lower than the 1,813 in 2022 and 2,413 in 2021. This reflects a reduction of 39.7% and 54.7%, respectively.
Along with unfavourable meteorological conditions, paddy straw burning in adjoining states is a major reason behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November.
Farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue before cultivating wheat and vegetables.
