The Delhi High Court has said, stubble burning is the main villain behind the severe level of pollution in Delhi and the neighbouring areas. It asked the Delhi government and the neighbouring states about steps they have taken to address the issue.
The court said, October to January is a critical period when the air quality in Delhi is poor due to the weather conditions and stubble burning during this period acted as the trigger which leads the situation to deteriorate.
The bench was hearing a PIL initiated by it in 2015 on the issue of poor air quality in the national capital. In its plea, petitioner said, court orders were not being complied with and action should taken against the concerned officials.
The Centre, represented by advocate Ajay Digpaul, told the court, the Environment Ministry has held meetings with all stakeholders and the issue of stubble burning was reviewed.
It also submitted that Centre was monitoring the burning of agricultural waste through satellite imagery provided by the respective state governments.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has filed an affidavit before the court, claiming it has prohibited indiscriminate burning of agricultural waste in the entire state. It also said, it was complying with all the directions issued by the court in its September 22 order.
The court, thereafter, asked the Delhi government and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan to place before it the steps taken by them to comply with the order of September 22. It listed the matter for further hearing on 13th November.
The High Court on September 22 had issued a slew of directions to the four neighbouring states to stop stubble
burning.
