The Supreme Court on Wednesday reprimanded Punjab and Haryana over the issue of stubble burning, stating that no effective action has been taken by the states to address the problem, which exacerbates air pollution levels in Delhi and its neighbouring regions during the winter season.
Noting that there has been a substantial increase in stubble burning cases in both the states and calling it an “absolute defiance” of direction by the Commission of Air Quality Management, the court summoned Haryana Chief Secretary on October 23.
“We see that the affidavit by Haryana is full of non-compliance. We direct Commission to take penal action against State Officers under Section 14. We direct Chief Secretary Mr Prasad to be physically present on next Wednesday. Commission will make statement about coercive action taken against State officials. Chief Secretary holds an explanation to court not only for non-compliance but also for not taking stringent action against violators,” Justice AS Oka said.
The Supreme Court was hearing a case of non-compliance of orders passed by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly regarding stubble burning.
