Shiromani Akali Dal leader appeals Supreme Court to take action against Punjab, Haryana over air pollution

"Supreme Court has always put in much effort every time so that the pollution issue that happens in Delhi and nearby areas can be resolved, but the problem is increasing every year. Now, the Supreme Court has again spoken to the Punjab and Haryana governments," Cheema told ANI.

The SAD leader added, "I appeal to the Supreme Court to take action against them...then they will start acting on it... every time they can't blame farmers, they have to provide farmers with adequate facilities..."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) effort to implement its directions concerning air pollution.

"From the affidavit of compliance we find that no effort is being made by CAQM for implementation of its directions, not a single prosecution has been initiated and the last meeting was only held on August 29," said the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court directed the States of Punjab and Haryana to comply with CAQM directions and to file an affidavit within a week. Supreme Court posted the case for hearing on October 16.

With the onset of stubble burning season, the CAQM has deployed 'flying squads' in several districts of Haryana and Punjab to monitor incidents of paddy stubble burning.

Flying Squads will assess the ground-level situation and report to the Commission and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) "on a daily basis", including the steps taken to prevent further incidents of paddy stubble burning in the allocated district, the Ministry of Environment said.

The announcement comes days after the Supreme Court rapped the CAQM for not taking concrete steps to curb air pollution in the national capital region (NCR) and acting only as a "silent spectator". CAQM is the pollution watchdog for Delhi and adjoining areas.

The latest figures from Punjab and Haryana over the past week showed a spike in stubble burning compared to last year, raising alarms as yet another Delhi winter approaches.

In a recent statement, the Ministry of Environment said the Flying Squads of CPCB, assisting CAQM, have been deployed to identified hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana from 01.10.2024 to 30.11.2024, where paddy stubble burning incidences are generally higher. (ANI)