The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a stern reprimand to the Haryana and Punjab governments for their failure to curb stubble burning, which has been contributing to the worsening air pollution across North India, including Delhi. The court summoned the chief secretaries of both states to appear before it on October 23 to provide explanations.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action taken against farmers responsible for burning crop residue, despite the clear link to rising pollution levels. Justice Oka remarked, “Only lip service is being done. What’s the hesitation?” The court stressed that inaction was no longer acceptable.

The court also directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take penal action against state officials in Haryana and Punjab for failing to enforce measures against stubble burning. Justice Oka noted the non-compliance evident in Haryana’s affidavit, instructing the CAQM to penalize officers responsible for the lapses.

Additionally, the bench criticized Haryana’s representatives for not attending CAQM meetings and demanded that both states replace their nominees on the commission. “This is not a political matter,” the court stated, warning that if the chief secretaries were acting under external influence, further summons would be issued.

The Supreme Court expressed frustration with the “complete defiance” shown by both state governments, highlighting the lack of meaningful action. Addressing the Punjab Advocate General, the court asked why the state’s chief secretary had misled the court with a false statement, stressing that the matter was being treated with inadequate seriousness.

In response to the Punjab AG’s defense that farmers were causing law-and-order problems, the court dismissed the justification, saying, “Burning of paddy straw or stubble burning is going on and you don’t want to do anything under the Air Prevention Act, 1981. Air is getting polluted.”