The Supreme Court is done with excuses! The governments of Punjab and Haryana were grilled today over their “half-hearted” attempts to control stubble burning — a major factor behind Delhi’s toxic air. 🌫️
⚡ Key Highlights:
- A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka slammed both state governments, calling their efforts nothing but “mere eyewash.” 🧐
- Farmers burning agricultural waste is a huge contributor to the annual smogfest choking Delhi every winter. The court? Not impressed with the lack of serious penalties. 😤
- Punjab claimed to have fined 417 violators, recovering ₹11 lakh, but the court dismissed the fines (ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000) as nominal and ineffective. Justice Oka didn’t hold back: “You’ve given them a license to break the law!” 🔥
😡 Haryana Under Fire Too!
- Haryana tried to flex its numbers, saying it’s reduced farm fires from 10,000+ to just 655 this year. But the court wasn’t buying it, grilling them for only registering 32 cases despite hundreds of fires. 🤨
- The court went as far as to accuse the state of selectively enforcing the law, hinting at “political reasons” behind some farmers being let off. 👀
🛑 Court Rips Into Anti-Pollution Efforts:
- Even the central government’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) got torn apart. The SC called it a “toothless wonder” that’s all bark and no bite. 🐶
- With Delhi’s air quality already dipping to dangerous levels, the court demanded action — no more excuses. 🙅♂️
🏙️ Winter is Coming… And So Is The Smog
- Delhi is bracing for its annual toxic air crisis, worsened by stubble burning and Diwali firecrackers. Air quality routinely hits 500+ AQI during this time — and the warning signs are already showing. 🌬️
Can Punjab and Haryana step up, or will this be another year of coughing our way through winter? 😷 #StayTuned #Airpocalypse