SC seeks action on stubble burning as Centre issues nationwide health advisory on pollution-linked illnesses

The court asks Punjab, Haryana to apprise about steps taken against stubble burning

- MPOST BUREAU

As toxic smog continues to blanket the National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to submit detailed reports on measures taken to curb stubble burning, a major contributor to the region's hazardous air quality. The order came even as the Centre issued an extensive advisory to all states and Union territories calling for urgent health preparedness, including the establishment of special “chest clinics” to treat air pollution-related illnesses during the high-pollution season.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria took serious note of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR and sought accountability from the two agrarian states, often blamed for unchecked crop residue burning during the post-harvest season. The court scheduled the next hearing for November 17.

“Let the Punjab and Haryana governments respond on steps taken to control stubble burning,’ Chief Justice Gavai said during the proceedings. ‘The bench, hearing the long-running M C Mehta case on air pollution, also discussed the enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a multi-tiered framework designed to control pollution based on the severity of air quality levels.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing before the court, noted that GRAP Stage III was currently in force, but conditions warranted implementation of Stage IV—the highest level of emergency measures—as air quality index (AQI) readings had “crossed 450 at some places.” He pointed out that even construction and drilling activities were ongoing within court premises despite restrictions under GRAP. The Chief Justice assured that "action will be taken" regarding such activities.