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SC asks Punjab, Haryana & U.P to end stubble burning immediately
Why in news?
- In a bid to save Delhi from air pollution, the Supreme Court on Monday said it would hold the entire State administrative and police mechanisms of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — from the Chief Secretary to the local policeman — responsible if even one instance of stubble burning occurred in the future.
More in news
- SC Judge questioned if State governments are responsible for stubble burning or are only interested in electioneering.
- Penal action : The court said any instance of stubble burning from now on would be penalised.
- Time to fix Liability:
(1) People cannot be just evacuated from Delhi, this just cannot happen in a civilised country.
(2) No room inside a house is safe in Delhi. How long can we survive on air purifiers? We are losing precious years of our lives...
(3) It is writ large that various State governments, civic bodies have failed to discharge their liabilities.
- 'Polluter Pays Principle' does apply to the State and the local bodies.
(1) SC made the local and civic bodies as “personally responsible” as the errant farmer who puts fire to his crop residue.
(2) Court ordered the Chief Secretaries of the three neighbouring States of Delhi to be present in court on Wednesday to explain why the governments and civic bodies should not be punished under tort law and be made to pay a hefty penalty for stubble fires seen so far this season.
(3) It also ordered the respective high-level committees of the three States to meet on the issue of extinguishing the existing stubble fires and report back to the court on November 6
- Open court session:
(1) Court summoned experts from Indian Institute of Technology and Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment to conduct an open court brainstorming session on how to “forthwith” reduce pollution choking Delhi.
- Directions meant to immediately reduce pollution in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
(1) Ban on construction and demolition activities
(2) Ban on burning of garbage.
(3) Any violation would cost ₹1 lakh in fine.
(4) Noncompliance would mean would ₹5000 in penalty.
Sources
The Hindu