New Delhi, February 4, 2025: The Supreme Court has instructed the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) to hold discussions with the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to formulate a comprehensive action plan against stubble burning.
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Key Directives from SC:
- The CAQM must consult the states and submit its suggestions by March 17.
- The court will issue further directions on March 28 based on the report.
Key Arguments from Punjab Govt:
- Punjab supports efforts to eliminate stubble burning but stressed that other pollution sources in Delhi must also be considered.
- Post-November 15 AQI data shows Delhi’s pollution remained high despite the end of farm fires.
- Farmers need government support for crop diversification, including a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assured procurement for crops like maize.
Past SC Directives on Monitoring:
- On November 18, 2024, the SC ordered the Centre and CAQM to use geostationary satellites instead of NASA’s polar-orbiting satellites for real-time tracking of farm fires.
- The court suggested ISRO’s involvement for comprehensive 24/7 satellite monitoring.
Concerns Over Farmer Compensation & Compliance:
- The UP, Delhi, and Haryana governments were found non-compliant regarding minimum support for daily wagers affected by construction bans.
- Earlier, the SC had criticized Punjab and Haryana for being slow in taking action against farm fires and called for a long-term solution.
The CAQM’s upcoming report will determine the next course of action, with potential new regulations to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
