Stop stubble burning or finish people with explosives, says SC

Despite ordering a complete ban on stubble burning, the Supreme Court on Monday (November 25) slammed the Punjab and Haryana governments for increase in stubble burning despite its order and said people in Delhi can’t be left to die due to air pollution.

Expressing displeasure over the failure of states in preventing stubble burning, the apex court said, “Should this be tolerated? Is this not worse than internal war? You better finish them all with explosives. Can you treat people like this and permit them to die due to pollution,” asked the bench.

Also read: Delhi air pollution: SC raps states, asks where is smart city here?

A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta took serious note of stubble burning in the two states and said that the life span of millions of citizens has shortened and people are “suffocating” due to pollution in Delhi-NCR.

“Why people are in this gas chamber? You better finish them all. This wrong is going on for long,” it said. The apex court slammed the Centre and states for “blame game” on the issue of water and air pollution in Delhi.

Taking serious note of water pollution in Delhi, it said people have right to get pure drinking water. “We are literally shocked that water is polluted in Delhi and blame game is going on. What is this happening,” the bench said.

Also read: Odd-even vehicle rationing scheme back in Delhi to tackle air pollution

The top court asked the Centre and others to take concrete decision within 10 days on having smog towers in Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution. Terming the stubble burning situation as alarming and said “not only the state machinery but farmers are also responsible for it”.

The court also sought report from CPCB and concerned states about steps taken to check pollution in rivers including Ganga and Yamuna.