The Apex Court has asked Govts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan about the arrangements made by them for preventing stubble burning which is a source of pollution in the region.
The Supreme Court has also asked the states concerned to apprise it about the instances of stubble burning in previous year, its locations & also how many farmers were responsible so that "special arrangements" could be made in advance for those areas.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that "With respect to stubble burning, we would like to hear, by virtual hearing, chief secretaries of Govt of NCT of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan on the next date, as to what arrangement they have made for preventing stubble burning as the time is fast approaching when it is burnt".
The bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai & Krishna Murari, said, "Let it be disclosed, how many instances were there in the previous year & how many farmers were responsible & the locations identified with respect to stubble burning, be also indicated in the affidavit, as this year special arrangement is to be made in that area in advance by making proper planning".
The Court passed the order while hearing the pollution matter in which it is dealing with several aspects, including that of stubble burning.
The Apex Court said it appears that some new technology has been developed by AFC India Limited for dissolving the stubble in field itself & the states concerned should file their response on this aspect as well as steps which they propose to take to prevent its burning.
"It appears that some new technology has been developed by the AFC India Limited (formerly known as Agricultural Finance Corporation Limited) for dissolving the stubble in the field itself by method of activation of mixed culture inoculation in farm, in the process of fertility of the field is also stated to be improved," the bench noted in its order.
"Let response be also filed of current state with respect to all arrangement done & the aforesaid technology by the states/Union Territories concerned," it said & posted the matter for hearing on Aug 10.
In Nov 2020, the SC had expressed serious displeasure over the failure of state machinery in preventing stubble burning & said that citizens of Delhi-national capital region (NCR) were "suffocating" due to air pollution & people cannot be left to die in a "gas chamber".
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