Stating that State governments had failed to curb stubble burning, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday summoned the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Officers have been directed to draw up a plan to execute the implementation of providing incentives to farmers.
Observing that stubble burning is adversely affecting the environment and public health, a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “It is a major problem in the state of Punjab and Haryana. NCT Delhi is certainly affected by it. The fact remains that the problem could not be fully tackled and the adverse impact on the air quality is affecting the citizen’s health and lives.”
“The problem is required to be dissolved as early as possible in the interest of the public and environment. We do not see any difficulty why incentives cannot be duly planned and executed. Such a scheme may be worked out and notified by November 14” the Bench said.
While the officers have been asked to be present before the Bench on November 15, the NGT specified that the “short time is on account of an emergency situation.”
Additionally, the Centre has been directed to convene a meeting with the respective State governments to finalise a solution to curb stubble burning.
“We also feel the need to direct senior officers in the spirit of finding out a solution. For this purpose, we direct Secretary Agriculture (Centre) and Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to organise a meeting and hold discussions on the same” the Bench added.
