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Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding air pollution in Delhi aggravated by stubble burning, 06/11/2019

  • 06/11/2019

Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of M. C. Mehta Vs Union of India & Others dated 06/11/2019 regarding air pollution in Delhi aggravated by stubble burning.

The SC directed that the small and marginal farmers who have not burnt the stubble in the states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh be provided financial support of Rs. 100/- per quintal of non-basmati paddy within seven days by the state government. The states have to provide the machines which will take care of the stubble like happy seeders, hydraulically reversible MB plough, paddy straw chopper to the farmers who cannot afford the machines for the time being free of cost and submit an action taken report in one month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Forests and the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and the Government of NCT of Delhi have been directed to prepare a comprehensive scheme of providing modern equipment to farmers and such a scheme should be prepred not only for the above mentioned states but for various other States where such facilities are lacking and are required to be provided. The scheme has to worked out within three months and in the time being the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have to disburse the money for the purpose.

"To punish farmers is not an ultimate solution. To provide them the basic facilities, amenities and modern equipment is the call of the day, which has not taken place and the benefits which are being given to the cooperative societies are being usurped mostly by the big farmers. Small and marginal farmers are still not able to reap the fruits of these schemes/machines", the order added.

The Government of the NCT of Delhi have been asked to submit a plan on unpaved roads, pits and potholes and also list the time frame to improve the condition of the roads.