Supreme Court slams Punjab and Haryana for 'complete defiance' in addressing Delhi air pollution
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court issued a stern warning to the Punjab and Haryana governments on Wednesday regarding the ongoing issue of stubble burning, highlighting that neither state has taken effective measures to tackle this significant contributor to air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas during the winter months.
The court pointed out a troubling rise in stubble burning incidents across both states and described this as an "absolute defiance" of directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management. In response to the states' lack of action, the Supreme Court summoned Haryana's Chief Secretary, Mr. Prasad, to appear in court on October 23.
Justice A.S. Oka emphasised the seriousness of the matter, stating, "We see that the affidavit submitted by Haryana is replete with instances of non-compliance. We direct the Commission to initiate penal action against state officials under Section 14. Chief Secretary Mr. Prasad is ordered to be physically present next Wednesday. The Commission will report on the coercive actions taken against state officials. The Chief Secretary is required to provide an explanation to the court not only for the non-compliance but also for the lack of stringent measures against violators."
The Supreme Court's remarks were made during a hearing focused on the failure to adhere to orders issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in relation to the practice of stubble burning.
- With inputs from agencies
