Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana are in dock for not being able to put a check on stubble burning. Taking up a contempt petition against the continuous trend of paddy straw burning in both the States, Justice Mahesh Grover has issued contempt notices to the top bureaucrats of both the States Sarvesh Kaushal of Punjab and Depinder Singh Dhesi of Haryana.
In the petition filed by Advocate H C Arora, the petitioner has said that High Court on April 16, 2012 had pronounced a judgment on the issue of paddy straw burning. In the judgement, both the governments were directed to look for alternative options to cut down the practice of paddy straw burning. But despite a lapse of three and a half year, no effective steps have been taken on the suggestions of the court.
Appearing in person, the petitioner contended that both the states have not initiated any effective steps for eradicating paddy-straw burning, due to which environment is getting polluted, birds are dying, citizens are getting respiratory diseases due to environmental pollution.
He contended that he has himself traveled on Bathinda-Patiala road earlier this month and found smoke emanating from burning of paddy straw. He enclosed NASA images to substantiate his contention that entire Punjab appears to be set on fire at hundreds of places due to paddy straw burning. He also presented photographs of a protest organized by citizens of Sangrur against the menace of paddy straw burning.
The High Court in its order on a PIl had directed both the states to deal with the issue of stubble burning on compassionate ground rather than resorting to punitive approach. The High Court had said “The issue, therefore, has to be seen from the perspective where the society and the government, who are beneficiaries of the industrious activity of a farmer, take proactive measures by providing solutions to a farmer which are affordable and readily available and thus save both the farming community as also the general public from the hazards ensuing the polluting activity of burning straw."
Asking both the states to find remunerative options for the farmers to inspire them to shun the practice of stubble burning, High Court said "There are measures which provide alternatives to burning but are expensive and, therefore, the governments are required to take steps to make such machines available to the farmers. The governments can formulate and grant subsidies, long-term loans and encourage manufacturers in making these machines more competitive, which will result in fall of prices and make the machines more affordable".
High Court has asked both the authorities to reply on the notice on January 21,next year.