BackSC slams Centre, states for inaction on pollution
SC directs states to provide machinery to dispense with the stubble on hiring basis to farmersThe court also orders Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana to provide within next 7 days Rs100 per quintal as financial assistance and incentives to marginal and small farmers to ensure they don't resort to stubble burning
PremiumThe Supreme Court on Wednesday passed a slew of orders directing the states and Centre to curb the menace caused by pollution. The order directed the state of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana to provide within next seven days Rs100 per quintal as financial assistance and incentives to marginal and small farmers to ensure they don't resort to stubble burning to clear their fields.
A two-member division bench of Justices Arun Kumar Mishra and Deepak Gupta were hearing the suo-motto case on the alarming rise in pollution level in Delhi-NCR.
The order passed by the bench also directs the state to provide machinery to dispense with the stubble on hiring basis to small and marginal farmers. The operational expenses for hiring these machineries have also to be aided and looked into by the state governments.
Giving directions to the Centre the court has asked them to prepare and frame a comprehensive scheme with a view to protect the interest of small and marginal farmers in next three months. The same has to be implemented throughout the country. The framework has to be prepared in consultations with all the states.
The bench severely grilled the chief secretary for not taking adequate action to curb the menace caused by stubble burning.
Attorney General Venugopal apprised the bench that farmers are reluctant to stop the stubble burning since the alternatives are not available to them. Crops being their only source of income, if they stop burning it their source of livelihood would die.
Justice Mishra rebuking the central government said that, 'this is due to your failure. Pollution is pollution. It’s bad for everybody. How can you say there is no solution. We expect little more from the responsible democratic government of the day. This is not the way we can be living in this country.
It can be done at grassroots level. Why is burning the only solution."
Attorney General replied that, "Punjab consists of large areas owned by rich farmers and they have tried the machines and they state that they are ineffective in large areas. The small farmers find it too expensive."
The bench observed that the poor farmers are caught in a complex situation. "If they burn the crop chalan is issued, if they don't then they can't sow the next crop. The poor farmers are stuck in this vicious circle. The agriculture produce of the country will also suffer". Adding further the bench stated that it is the government at the state and centre level which has to step up and solve this problem.
The chief secretary of the Centre, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi were present in the court.
The next in line of fire was the Punjab chief secretary. CS Punjab told the bench that over 18,000 machines were distributed to farmers which was an alternate to stubble burning.
Justice Mishra, asked that, "why did you wait till September for this distribution? You started late that is why all machines could not be distributed," he asked further said that, "What steps did you take to purchase the stubble?"
Justice Mishra further threatens to suspend the chief secretary, when he stated that the Centre had to act. Mishra stated that," you can't shift all responsibility to centre. If the centre has to act then they should rule in state and no state government is required then. How can allow the people to die?
J. Mishra further questions Punjab chief secretary that “why did you prepare no road map to collect stubble when you know poor farmers will not be able to do it."
The same division bench on 4 November had summoned the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to appear before it on 6 November and explain why the three states had failed to take effective steps to curb stubble burning.
Every winter, the national capital region is enveloped by a thick shroud of poisonous smog, forcing the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority’ (EPCA) to declare a public health emergency and the Delhi government to order schools shut -- something that has become an annual practice.
The next date of hearing is 15 November.
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