The Supreme Court has slammed Punjab and Haryana governments for not taking action against people involved in stubble burning. SC said that if these governments were keen on implementing then there would have been at least one prosecution in stubble burning case.
The apex court told Chief Secretary of Punjab that around 1080 FIRs regarding violation were registered, but the government collected nominal fine from only 473 people. The court added that this move of Punjab government is sending wrong message to violators. “You are sparing 600 or more people. We will tell you very frankly that you are giving a signal to violators that nothing will be done against them. This has been for the past three years,” said the Supreme Court.
On Haryana Chief Secretary’s figure of crop-burning incidents and FIRs registered, the Supreme Court said that his figures are changing every minutes. The court observed that Haryana government is collecting compensation from only few and also registering FIRs against some.
The Court added, “We are concerned about cherry picking of FIR registration on some and nominal amount of fine imposition on some.” It further questioned Chief Secretary of Haryana on stubble issue and asked what is being done towards it and what has been provided to farmers.
Chief Secretary, Haryana in his reply said that around 1 lakh machines have been given for the stubble disposal which has reduced the fires.
Time To Remind Union Says SC
Supreme Court also blasted the Centre government on pollution related issues. Citing the fundamental rights of citizen, the court said that everyone has a right to live in a pollution-free environment. SC stressed that time has come to remind Union and the states of Punjab and Haryana. Supreme Court said that these are matters of blatant violation of fundamental rights under Article 21.
SC On Delhi Pollution
The apex court also took cognisance of the rising air pollution in Delhi and expressed its concern over air pollution post Diwali. The Supreme Court assure that it will look into issues of pollution created by transport in Delhi, entries of heavy trucks in the city and open garbage burning.
