Putting some farmers behind bars will send a message: SC over stubble burning
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court said today that sending some farmers to jail for burning stubble could send a strong message to others similarly polluting the air, NDTV reported.
The apex court made the remarks while hearing petitions regarding the oppressive air pollution in Delhi-NCR every October.
Questioning the authorities for not considering penal provisions to solve the issue, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai reportedly said ‘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?’
However, the Chief Justice made it clear that farmers are special ‘we are eating because of them.. but it does not mean that they can take advantage’.
Farmers in neigbouring Punjab and Haryana burn stubble to clear the fields of crop residue in October and November every year causing toxic air in Delhi.
However, using specialised machines or manual labour to clear fields according to farmers are cost-intensive.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Punjab government, told the court that stubble burning in the state has come down saying ‘In three years, a lot has been achieved. We will achieve much more this year’.