Delhi Air Pollution: Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From CAQM On Stubble Burning

The Supreme Court of India has demanded an explanation from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding the ongoing issue of stubble burning, which significantly contributes to air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The Court’s directive came after Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh highlighted that stubble burning had already commenced, despite previous orders to control it. The Court emphasized the need for judicial monitoring to prevent a repeat of last year’s pollution crisis. The CAQM has been asked to explain the steps taken to hold officials accountable under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, which outlines penalties for non-compliance. The Supreme Court has been actively overseeing pollution-related issues in the NCR, particularly focusing on stubble burning as a major pollution source. The Court’s previous directives included orders to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi to implement measures to combat air pollution, with a specific focus on reducing stubble burning.