• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan government to stop the stubble burning as Delhi and adjoining areas choke with toxic air and thick haze. It observed that there can't be a political battle all the time. “We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don't know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped. Something has to be done immediately,” SC said to the Punjab government's lawyer.

The bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia also directed for a meeting to be held tomorrow between the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure that crop burning is stopped.

"We do not care how you do it..it must stop," said Justice Kaul. "We are no saying that stubble burning is the only contributor but it is a significant factor," Justice Kaul added.

The SC further directed the Delhi Government to ensure that municipal solid waste is not burnt in the city during the open as it happens. It also noted that the smog towers installed by the Delhi Government as per the earlier directions were not working. It directed the Delhi Government to take immediate steps to repair the smog towers.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul hearing air pollution matter observes that while travelling through Punjab over the weekend and he saw widespread fires on both sides of the road. He also observed that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues are mere optics.

Supreme Court posted the air pollution matter for hearing on Friday, 10th November.

Farmers, Punjab Leaders React To SC's Order 

Expressing disappointment on the SC's order, a farmer from Mamdot of Firozepur District where stubble is being burned said, "We don't get labour to cut the stubble. The smoke from the burning stubble affects us first and later other people. The government should give us some compensation."

Also, Former Punjab Dy CM and Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "Supreme Court should first end pollution of Delhi and Haryana. Earlier Kejriwal used to defame us but now it's their govt in Punjab. It's GoI's responsibility. The farmers of Punjab who give grains to the country are being defamed today."

Delhi Breathes Toxic Air For Days Now

Meanwhile, the pollution levells in Delhi were recorded in the "very poor" category after five consecutive days of severe air quality. The national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 394. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi-NCR, the region is likely to experience severe air quality for another five to six days.

The restrictions under stage IV of GRAP, including a ban on all kinds of construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into the capital, took effect on Sunday after air quality in the capital dropped to "severe plus" (AQI above 450) levels.

Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, paddy straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, contribute to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during the winter every year. According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) analysis, the capital experienced peak pollution from November 1 to November 15 when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increased.