Lucknow Press
Supreme Court on Delhi Air Pollution: A hearing was held in the Supreme Court on Wednesday (23 October) regarding the ever-increasing pollution in the national capital Delhi. During this, the court reprimanded the central and state governments.
Along with this, the court also reprimanded the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) because instead of taking action against the officials who failed to stop stubble burning, the commission has issued a notice and sought a reply.
The numbers are low because we are not taking any action, don’t be happy: SC
The Supreme Court also questioned the Haryana government for not taking strict action against those burning stubble. The Supreme Court said that out of a total of 417 people, you filed FIRs against only 93 people. You let off more than 300 people just like that. On this, the Chief Secretary of Haryana clarified that fines have been collected from the rest of the people. The court said that this means that you are taking selective action against those burning stubble. You are filing FIRs against some. You are letting off some by imposing fines. After this, the Chief Secretary of the Haryana government said that due to the steps taken by the government, there has been a significant reduction in stubble burning incidents. Then the Supreme Court said that your figures are low because you are not taking any action. There is nothing to be happy about in this.
Supreme Court raised question on levying of nominal fine
The Supreme Court told the Chief Secretary of Punjab that out of 1080 FIRs, you are collecting only nominal fines from 473 people. You are letting off more than 600 people. You are giving free hand to those who burn stubble. This has been happening for the last three years. The court questioned the collection of even nominal fines from those who burn stubble. The court told the Air Quality Management Commission to consider increasing the amount of fines.
Burn stubble and escape by paying fine: SC
The Supreme Court asked the Punjab government how many incidents of stubble burning happened this year? Abhishek Manu Singhvi, on behalf of the Punjab government, said that 1510 incidents have happened this year. On this, the SC asked how many FIRs have been registered? Singhvi said that 1080 FIRs have been registered. Then the SC asked that means you left 400 people just like that? On this, Singhvi said that it is also possible that ISRO’s report of fire at some place may not be correct. The Supreme Court asked why did you not register any case before our order? On this, Singhvi said that I cannot say anything about this. But now we have to see ahead. The state government is taking action.
The Supreme Court asked how much fine did you collect from those who burn stubble? Singhvi said that a fine of about 12 lakhs has been collected from 473 people. The Supreme Court said that does this mean that you let people go after imposing a fine of about 2500? By imposing such a fine, you are giving a license to those who burn stubble to burn stubble and escape by paying such a fine. On this, Singhvi clarified that the amount of the fine is not in our hands. If the commission increases the amount of the fine, then we have no problem in collecting it. Let us tell you that the court also directed the Quality Management Commission to consider increasing the amount of the fine.
