By The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of an investigative report by India Today, which revealed how government officials in Punjab are advising farmers to burn stubble after 4 PM to avoid satellite detection. The top court described the findings as “very serious” and issued directives for immediate action to prevent such practices.
Key Highlights from the Supreme Court Hearing:
- India Today Investigation: The report, based on a sting operation, uncovered that officials in Punjab are instructing farmers to burn stubble during non-detectable hours to evade legal action.
- Court’s Observations: The bench led by Justice Abhay Oka stated, “Officials cannot permit such practices,” and instructed the Punjab government to take immediate corrective measures.
- GRAP-IV Measures: The Supreme Court directed that Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV measures to combat pollution will continue in Delhi-NCR. The court will review on Monday whether these restrictions need relaxation.
Failure to Implement GRAP-IV Rules
The court-appointed commissioners submitted a second report highlighting the failure of authorities to enforce GRAP-IV rules effectively. The Supreme Court demanded accountability from the states and questioned why the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has not yet acted against violators despite clear evidence.
The bench criticized CAQM for issuing a clarification on GRAP restrictions that could cause confusion. “This could mislead ground-level enforcement. Such directions must be withdrawn immediately,” the court ordered.
Action Against Erring Officials
The Supreme Court instructed the Delhi government to act against officials implicated in the violations reported by the court commissioners. It also asked states in Delhi-NCR to provide updates on the ban on firecrackers and sought data on pollution levels in other cities across India.
India Today Probe: Stubble Burning Reality
The India Today investigation exposed a systemic failure in controlling stubble burning in Punjab. The report featured a land records officer admitting that farmers are advised to burn stubble after 4 PM to avoid satellite detection.
“Satellites don’t capture fires after 4 PM,” the officer revealed, highlighting how loopholes in enforcement are being exploited.
Despite Supreme Court directives, stubble burning continues unabated in Punjab due to the lack of adequate alternatives for farmers. Struggling with limited resources, farmers often resort to burning as the simplest solution, while officials either look the other way or actively help them evade detection.
Court Expands Focus Beyond Delhi-NCR
The bench emphasized the need to address pollution issues across India, not just in Delhi-NCR. “We must recognize that pollution affects other cities as well. We should not send the message that the Supreme Court is only concerned about Delhi,” the bench stated.
Next Steps:
- The Supreme Court will hear responses from Delhi-NCR states regarding firecracker bans on Monday.
- The court will also evaluate pollution data from other cities and deliberate on expanding measures nationwide.
This case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and sustainable alternatives to stubble burning.
