“Don’t politicise stubble burning: SC as it seeks science-based pollution plan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday urged authorities to avoid politicising stubble burning, stressing that farmers should not be vilified but supported with awareness and equipment. Hearing Delhi’s persistent air-quality crisis, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said pollution "cannot be treated as a seasonal formality” and must be monitored consistently.

"Delhi pollution matter cannot be listed customarily in October, and we will be taking it up regularly,” the CJI said, He observed that air quality had improved "just because this item was heard”.

Calling for clear responsibility and effective, science-driven measures, the CJI told the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Centre, "None of us can sit idle. We can’t presume that there’s no solution to this problem.” The court directed the CAQM to submit its long-term and short-term strategies and to honestly evaluate whether the actions taken so far had delivered results.

"Ask a question to yourself, has your action plan improved the situation?” the CJI said, noting that unmet "legitimate expectations” may require an entirely new approach. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that comprehensive plans had been prepared with inputs from all states on sources such as stubble burning, vehicular emissions, biomass burning, construction dust and road dust, but conceded that "implementation is needed”.

The bench, however, cautioned against placing disproportionate blame on farm fires. "We don’t want to comment on stubble burning as it’s easy to pass off the burden on those who are hardly represented before us. It has become a thing where you can conveniently put the blame on that,” the CJI said.

Pointing to the stark clarity of the skies during the Covid-19 lockdown, the court asked, "Stubble burning was there during Covid times, but still, why was there a blue sky? Someone will have to answer.” With construction activity and vehicular movement halted during that period, the court said the "biggest” source of Delhi’s pollution must be scientifically identified. The Centre has been asked to submit a detailed report within a week on efforts to curb pollution from non-stubble sources.

Reinforcing its stand in support of farmers, the bench reiterated, "Farmers only need to be sensitised. We need to provide certain machines.”

Meanwhile, in a related matter, a PIL filed in the Delhi High Court by the Greater Kailash-II Welfare Association criticised authorities for "belated and cosmetic” steps even as air quality plunged to ‘severe’ and ‘hazardous’ levels. The petition claimed that officials ignored a "life-threatening” red alert issued by experts on November 21.