The Supreme Court on Thursday acknowledged a startling India Today investigation that revealed government officials in Punjab are allegedly instructing farmers to burn stubble after specific hours to bypass satellite monitoring. The report has raised grave concerns about compliance with pollution control directives.

Key Highlights of the Stubble-Burning Issue:

• Farmers Advised to Burn Stubble After 4 PM: According to the investigation, officials reportedly told farmers that satellite systems cannot detect fires after 4 PM, enabling them to evade penalties.
• Supreme Court’s Response: Terming the report “very serious,” the court directed the Punjab government to immediately issue strict orders prohibiting such practices.

Court’s Observations on GRAP Implementation

The bench, led by Justice Abhay Oka, expressed dissatisfaction with the enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR.

• Failures Highlighted: The court-appointed commissioners reported a failure by authorities to implement GRAP-IV rules effectively.
• Action Demanded: The court urged states to clarify their actions regarding breaches highlighted in the report. It also criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for delays in taking action, instructing it to expedite responses.

CAQM Show Cause Notices and GRAP Confusion

The court noted that CAQM had issued show cause notices to senior officials but questioned why enforcement was lacking. Additionally, it criticized CAQM’s clarification regarding GRAP Stage 3 restrictions, warning that it could mislead officials and create confusion on the ground.

Focus on Pollution Beyond NCR

The bench emphasized that pollution is a nationwide issue and not limited to Delhi-NCR. It directed counsel to provide a list of other polluted cities, underscoring the need for broader measures.

“We must remember there’s India beyond NCR. Pollution in other cities also demands attention,” the court stated.

India Today’s Stubble-Burning Probe

India Today’s investigation uncovered the following:

• A land records officer and president of the Sangrur Block Patwari Union admitted to advising farmers to burn stubble after 4 PM to escape satellite detection.
• Despite Supreme Court directives, stubble burning remains rampant in Punjab due to resource constraints faced by farmers and leniency from some government officials.

Call for Accountability

The Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to act against officials implicated in the court commissioners’ report. The bench also questioned the necessity of CAQM’s published clarifications, asking them to withdraw misleading information immediately.

Next Steps

• The Supreme Court will reconvene on Monday to review the need for extending GRAP-IV measures in Delhi and NCR.
• It will also examine pollution levels in other cities and consider responses from states on the ban on firecrackers.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s strong stance on this issue highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and accountability in tackling air pollution. The revelations from the India Today investigation serve as a critical reminder of the challenges in addressing stubble-burning, a key contributor to air quality deterioration in North India.

Stay updated for further developments as the court continues its review next week.