Supreme Court’s strong words on stubble burning, Delhi-NCR air pollution: ‘Putting some behind bars will…’

As the Supreme Court heard arguments on the subject of stubble burning on Wednesday, it stated that putting some persons in jail would “send the correct message.” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai argued that just because farmers provide food for everyone, it does not follow that one “cannot protect the environment.”

Justice Gavai made the comments following his hearing of amicus curiae Aparajita Singh’s argument regarding farmers burning their stubble.

“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 was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench. His remarks were directed at senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing State of Punjab.

The CJI’s remarks come days after he questioned why the year-round blanket ban on firecrackers only applied to the Delhi-NCR region, and wasn’t enforced nationwide. “If citizens in NCR are entitled to pollution-free air, then why not people of other cities? Just because this is the capital city and the Supreme Court is situated in this area, it should not mean only they get pollution-free air,” a bench of CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran had said.

Alarming air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR are a problem that arises every year with the arrival of winter. Burning stubble is one of the main causes of pollution, aside from firecrackers.

The Supreme Court allegedly ordered the Central Pollution Control Board, Commission for Air Quality Management, to replace all vacancies within three months on Wednesday in addition to making findings on stubble burning. The top court also directed UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab to fill the pollution board posts within three months, according to news agency .