The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Delhi and Uttar Pradesh government to file reports on incidents of waste burning in the open. It also asked the Punjab government to make the process of crop residue 100 per cent free and provided some relief to the Punjab farmers who are facing backlash for stubble burning in the state, which contributes to the rising AQI in the neighbouring states.
"Why doesn’t the Punjab government make the process of crop residue 100 per cent free? To burn it, all the farmer needs to do is light a matchstick. Machine for the management of crop residue to farmers is not everything. Even if the machine is given for free, there is diesel cost, manpower etc," said the apex court.
It also said that the State of Punjab should also take a cue from the State of Haryana in the manner in which financial incentives are given.
ALSO READ Israel Declares Lashkar-e-Taiba As 'Terror Outfit' To Mark 15th Year Of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
The Supreme Court observed that farmers are being made a villain and they are not being heard here in the court. "They must have some reasons for burning stubble," it said.
It also observed that land in Punjab is becoming arid slowly because the water table is getting depleted. It said that if land runs dry, everything else will get affected. Somewhere the farmers should understand or be made to understand the consequences of growing paddy.
The court then asked the Attorney General to explore ways to discourage paddy and encourage alternate crops. It ordered the committee to look into the aspect of discouraging the cultivation of rice as the long-term impact could be disastrous.
According to the apex court, a report by the Punjab government showed that 8481 meetings have been held with farmers and farm leaders to convince them to not burn paddy straws by SHOs.
The court recorded that in its order the upward trend in farm fires has not abated. 984 FIRs have been lodged against landowners for stubble burning. Environmental compensation amounting to more than Rs 2 crores has been imposed of which Rs 18 lakhs has been recovered.
Slamming the state and union government, the apex court asked them to forget the politics and figure out how to do this. "If the blame game continues, the land will run dry, water will disappear," it said. The court posted the matter of air pollution for a hearing on December 5.
(With ANI inputs)