The Supreme Court has criticized the Punjab government for its lax approach toward tackling stubble burning, a major contributor to the worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The court highlighted the portrayal of farmers as villains and emphasized the need for their voices to be adequately heard in court. During the hearing on petitions addressing the toxic air crisis in Delhi, Justices SK Kaul and S Dhulia directed both the Punjab and Delhi governments to take decisive action against the burning of agricultural waste, exacerbating Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) woes.
The court questioned the AAP-led Punjab government’s efforts, citing a report that indicated over 8,400 meetings held with farmers failed to curb the number of farm fires. Additionally, the court raised concerns about the cost associated with crop residue management, urging the Punjab government to make the process entirely free. Drawing attention to Haryana’s success in curbing stubble burning through financial incentives, the court advised Punjab to follow suit.
In response to protests by farmer bodies seeking the withdrawal of cases related to stubble burning, the Supreme Court stressed the importance of finding a lasting solution for paddy straw and addressing farmers’ concerns. The protesting farmers called for the withdrawal of legal actions, increased sugarcane rates, and fair compensation for land acquisition under Bharatmala projects.
