The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has submitted a fresh affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that Punjab and Haryana logged over 1,800 cases of stubble burning this year despite strict rules. The air quality management panel, however, noted that the absenteeism of officials at the committee meetings had decreased.
Last week, the top court rebuked the Haryana and Punjab governments for not taking action against farmers engaging in stubble burning which was deteriorating the air quality across North India, including Delhi. The Supreme Court had summoned the Haryana and Punjab chief secretaries to appear before it on October 23 and submit an explanation.
What CAQM SAID IN ITS LATEST AFFIDAVIT
In its latest affidavit submitted to the top court, the CAQM stated, “Despite strict directions, 1,289 cases of stubble burning were logged in Punjab and 601 in Haryana. However, absenteeism of officials in meetings has decreased.”
“The panel is engaging with technical, scientific, and agricultural experts to enhance its ability to combat pollution,” it mentioned.
WHAT SC SAID IN ITS LAST HEARING
In the last SC hearing on the matter, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take penal action against Haryana and Punjab government officials for failure to take action against the violators. The bench also asked why Haryana nominees to the CAQM did not attend meetings.
Justice Abhay S Oka said, “We see that the affidavit by Haryana is full of non-compliance. We direct the Commission to take penal action against state officers.”
The top court said CAQM has become a toothless tiger and asked Haryana and Punjab to change their state representatives.
The Supreme Court said, “This is not a political matter. If chief secretary is acting at somebody’s behest, we will issue summons against them as well. Next Wednesday we are going to physically call chief secretary and explain everything.
Delhi Air Quality
The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 349, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
Jahangirpuri area in the national capital was the worst affected as the AQI there was at 417, SAFAR data showed. The AQI at Anand Vihar was recorded at 402. A thick layer of smog covered Delhi during the early hours, as seen in visuals from ITO shared by news agency ANI.
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