The Supreme Court criticized the Central Government on Wednesday, pointing to the widespread stubble burning in neighboring states, which is worsening Delhi's air pollution. The court accused the government of weakening the Environmental Protection Act through amendments, making it ineffective. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, assured the court that the rules would be finalized within 10 days, and the Act would become "fully operational."
The court expressed its frustration, saying, "We will hold the Union of India accountable... it hasn't set up any proper system. The Environmental Protection Act has lost its power. Punishments were replaced with penalties by amending Section 15, and the procedure to impose those penalties is not even clear."
The ASG responded by saying that notices had been issued to the environment and agriculture secretaries of Punjab and Haryana, and the Act's provisions would be fully enforced within 10 days.
The Supreme Court also criticized the political handling of the issue, stating, "If the governments and the Centre were serious about protecting the environment, they would have acted before amending Section 15. This is all politics."
As Delhi's air quality worsened, with some areas reaching the "severe" level of pollution, the court also directed its attention to Punjab and Haryana. The court dismissed the efforts of these states to stop stubble burning as "just for show." It pointed out that despite a ban, no one had been prosecuted in Punjab for violating the ban on stubble burning.
The court scolded Punjab's chief secretary for making false claims about requesting funds for farmers to get tractors and diesel to prevent crop burning. The court warned, "We will issue contempt orders. We are not letting this go."
In response, Punjab's advocate, Abhishek Singhvi, promised the court that stricter actions would be taken going forward.
The Supreme Court criticized the Central Government on Wednesday, pointing to the widespread stubble burning in neighboring states, which is worsening Delhi's air pollution. The court accused the government of weakening the Environmental Protection Act through amendments, making it ineffective. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, assured the court that the rules would be finalized within 10 days, and the Act would become "fully operational."
The court expressed its frustration, saying, "We will hold the Union of India accountable... it hasn't set up any proper system. The Environmental Protection Act has lost its power. Punishments were replaced with penalties by amending Section 15, and the procedure to impose those penalties is not even clear."
The ASG responded by saying that notices had been issued to the environment and agriculture secretaries of Punjab and Haryana, and the Act's provisions would be fully enforced within 10 days.
The Supreme Court also criticized the political handling of the issue, stating, "If the governments and the Centre were serious about protecting the environment, they would have acted before amending Section 15. This is all politics."
As Delhi's air quality worsened, with some areas reaching the "severe" level of pollution, the court also directed its attention to Punjab and Haryana. The court dismissed the efforts of these states to stop stubble burning as "just for show." It pointed out that despite a ban, no one had been prosecuted in Punjab for violating the ban on stubble burning.
The court scolded Punjab's chief secretary for making false claims about requesting funds for farmers to get tractors and diesel to prevent crop burning. The court warned, "We will issue contempt orders. We are not letting this go."
In response, Punjab's advocate, Abhishek Singhvi, promised the court that stricter actions would be taken going forward.
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