The Supreme Court of India (SC) sharply criticized the Central Government on Wednesday for diluting the Environmental Protection Act through recent amendments, as Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “very poor” levels due to widespread stubble burning in neighbouring states.
Supreme Court slams Centre over Delhi’s Air Quality
The SC expressed strong disapproval of the Act becoming “toothless” through modifications to Section 15, which deals with penalties for violations. “We will take the Union of India to task… it has not created any machinery,” the Court stated, highlighting concerns about the replacement of punitive measures with mere penalties.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, promised swift action, stating, “Within 10 days, Section 15 will be fully operationalised.” She also confirmed that show-cause notices had been issued to environmental and agricultural officials in Punjab and Haryana.
The top court, however, remained sceptical of these assurances, suggesting political motivations behind the delayed implementation: “If these governments and you were seriously ready to safeguard the environment, then everything would have been done before amendment to Section 15. This is all political, nothing else.”
Punjab, Haryana ordered to control farm fires
Particularly scathing criticism was directed at Punjab and Haryana’s efforts to control farm fires, which the Court dismissed as “mere eyewash.” The situation in Punjab drew special attention when the Court threatened contempt proceedings against the state’s chief secretary for allegedly providing false information regarding funding requests to the Central Government.
“You must answer why you gave a false statement to the Advocate General of Punjab that a request has been made to the Central Government for funds for tractors and diesel for farmers. We will not leave you,” the SC warned.
In response, Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Punjab, assured the Court, “We will be taking stringent action as we proceed forward.”
The hearing comes at a critical time when several areas in Delhi have recorded “severe” air quality levels, with agricultural residue burning in neighbouring states identified as a major contributor to the capital’s deteriorating air quality during the winter onset.
