Stubble burning: NGT summons chief secretaries of four states

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday summoned the chief secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over their failure to curb incidences of crop stubble burning, which has been adversely affecting the air quality in Delhi.

The court has directed the officials of these states to chalk out a plan to effectively implement the ban, by providing incentives to farmers. The officials have been asked to be present before the panel on November 15

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel observed that stubble burning has been adversely affecting the environment and public health in the national capital.

“Stubble burning is a major problem in the states of Punjab and Haryana. NCT Delhi is certainly affected by it. The fact remains that the problem has not been fully tackled and the adverse impact on the air quality and consequent impact on the citizens’ health and lives are undisputed,” the bench said.

The bench said the government came out with a scheme — National Policy for Management of Crop Residue, 2014 — which provided assistance to farmers by way of machinery and equipment to avoid stubble burning.

“We make it clear that such a scheme of providing incentives to farmers must be worked out and notified by November 14. The short time is being given on account of the emergency situation,” the bench said. The bench also stressed on finding out longlasting solution to the problem of stubble burning.