‘Nothing is happening,’ SC rebukes Haryana, Punjab over Delhi’s pollution problem

Indian Supreme Court Thursday (Oct 3) chided the governments of Punjab and Haryana states for not doing anything substantial to tackle the pollution problem. The top court also criticised the states for collecting just nominal compensation from farmers engaging in stubble burning, which annually causes lethal, toxic air pollution in Delhi.

The apex court also rebuked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which is tasked with controlling pollution in and around Delhi.

The bench comprising Justice A Amanullah and Justice AG Masih said, "Everybody knows that except discussion nothing is happening. That is the harsh reality of this."

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This comes after the Supreme Court ordered CAQM last week to file a detailed affidavit on steps being taken to tackle stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab, key farming hubs in northern India. The bench highlighted how the committee met only thrice in the past nine months and there was no discussion on stubble burning at all.

“The last meeting was on August 29. Entire September, there was no meeting. You said that this committee consists of IPS officers etc who will enforce the directions. Now not a single meeting has been held after August 29 when it comes to enforcement," Justice Oka said.

"Is this the seriousness which is being shown?" the judge asked.

The state government’s counsel in response told the court that they had filed cases under relevant sections against those engaging in disobedience of orders of a public servant. The court then shot back, saying the FIRs had been filed under the softest provisions.

"You have taken the softest provision that is there to prosecute. There is Section 14 of CAQM Act, Section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act which has drastic powers," the bench noted.

The government’s counsel then argued they didn’t take drastic measures because the pollution level had reduced.

"You must implement your own orders. This is all in the air. There are targets, action plans, sectoral meetings but the basic provisions of the Act are not be implemented at all. In 2024, there are 129 cases of stubble burning, why action has not been taken against these people? Why Section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act is not invoked and why the corresponding action is not taken against the officers of the government?" Justice Oka asked.

(With inputs from agencies)