In a bid to curb air pollution caused due to stubble burning, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the State governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab to depute officers to provide updates on a daily basis.
The green panel also directed the respective State governments to furnish action-taken reports by November 15.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel further specified that the officers designated at the village or cluster-levels for the purpose will have to ensure compliance and will also be held accountable for non-compliance of the orders.
“The fact remains that there is an adverse impact of burning such residue on air quality, causing pollution-related diseases which at times may be fatal. Every year from October-November, the problem of air pollution is acute in and around Delhi, threatening the health of infants and senior citizens,” the Bench observed.
During the hearing, the Centre informed the green panel that ₹600 crore has been disbursed to the States for buying requisite equipment and added that additional costs will have to be borne by the respective State governments.
The counsel appearing for the Punjab government informed the Bench that a special cell was set up in the office of the Chief Secretary to review the number of stubble burning incidents on a daily basis.
