Sending some farmers behind bars for burning stubble can send a strong message to others, the Supreme Court said today as it heard petitions linked to choking air pollution in Delhi-NCR every October.
Earlier, Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh told the bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai that farmers have been offered subsidies and equipment to address the stubble burning issues. "But farmers have the same story. Last time, farmers said that they were asked to burn at a time when the satellite does not pass over that area. I am sorry to say that since 2018, the Supreme Court has passed extensive orders, and they only plead helplessness before you," she said.
The Chief Justice questioned why the authorities are not thinking about penal provisions to address this issue. "If some people are behind bars, it will send the correct message. Why don't you think of some penalty provisions for the agriculturists? If you have a real intention of protecting the environment, then why shy away?" he asked.
"Farmers are special, and we are eating because of them... but it does not mean that we cannot protect the environment, you see," the Chief Justice added.
Stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana is among the main contributors to Delhi's toxic air days in October and November every year. Farmers burn stubble to clear the fields of crop residue. The alternatives are using manual labour to clear fields or specialised machines. Farmers argue these options are cost-intensive, and stubble burning continues to be reported every year, although there has been a reduction in reported cases.
from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/TQWtxqo
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