‘Stubble burning should not become a political issue.. or that of ego’: SC on Delhi air pollution

Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has drawn up an action plans to fight pollution and that stubble burning, vehicular pollution, construction dust, road dust, and biomass burning are found to be the major contributors.

“As per the scientific analyses, which is contributing the most?” the Chief Justice of India asked. He then added, “…We do not want to comment on stubble burning. (It’s) incorrect to burden the people (farmers) who are hardly represented in the Court.”

The Chief Justice of India pointed out that “stubble burning was there during the Covid” and asked, “but why could the people still see clear blue sky?” “…The issue of stubble burning should not unnecessarily become a political issue or issue of ego. If at all a farmer is burning, it is also for an asset, it’s a commodity,” he underlined.

The top court asked for a report on the preventive steps within a week. It also asked the Centre if actions so far have brought any change. “If you have been able to finalise the action plan, why don’t you revisit it? Have you been able to bring any positive impact?” the Chief Justice of India said.

He added, “Very soon , we want a report, within a week, on the effective measures taken to prevent causes other than the stubble burning.”

Earlier on November 27, the Chief Justice of India, while hearing the matter, had said that there are multiple reasons for the air pollution and all of those need to be identified.

He also stressed the need for hearing it regularly and not just when the pollution season sets in.

On Monday, he said that the court wanted to see both the long-term and short-term plans and that it will keep taking the case up.

He pointed out that no Indian city was conceived to accommodate such a large population or the planners would have imagined each home will have multiple cars.

Bhatti said that stubble burning is a seasonal factor and that there are other reasons too.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi said construction activity is a major contributor and sought to know the implementation of the construction ban on ground.

The ASG said that action taken reports had been sought from states in the NCR region and that the Central Pollution Control Board too would file an affidavit.

To a submission that vehicle density is a contributing factor, CJI Kant said that the expansion of Metro services will help in the long term but short-term measures are necessary too. The court will hear the matter next on December 10.