Water treatment plants in Delhi have been affected due to high ammonia levels in Yamuna water, Chief Minister Atishi said on Wednesday while accusing BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh of discharging untreated industrial waste into the river.
Atishi, while briefing mediapersons during a visit to the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, alleged that the BJP was using pollution as a "weapon against Delhi".
Water treatment plants in Delhi have been affected due to high ammonia levels in Yamuna water, Chief Minister Atishi said on Wednesday while accusing BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh of discharging untreated industrial waste into the river.
Atishi, while briefing mediapersons during a visit to the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, alleged that the BJP was using pollution as a "weapon against Delhi".
She reiterated her charge that both the rising pollution levels in the Yamuna and the worsening air quality in the capital are the result of the BJP’s "dirty politics".
“They are sending untreated water through drains into the Yamuna at Wazirabad and other areas like Kalindi Kunj, which has now turned into a toxic drain, especially during Chhath Puja," she alleged.
“Since yesterday, the ammonia level in the river has reached 3 ppm, making it impossible to treat the water at the Wazirabad plant,” the chief minister said.
She added that the Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi water treatment plants are similarly affected.
“It’s clear that the BJP hates Delhi and is using Haryana and UP to attack Delhi,” Atishi charged.
On air pollution in the national capital, Atishi said, “From 2021 to 2023, stubble burning in Punjab has reduced, and during 2023-24, it has decreased by 25 per cent.
However, farm fires in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have only worsened, with Haryana showing a 23 per cent increase and Uttar Pradesh a staggering 70 per cent rise, she added.Pollution-free environment every citizen's right, says SC, blames Centre for inaction
New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Centre for making the environment protection law "toothless," even as it asserted that there is a fundamental right for every citizen of India to live in a pollution free environment.
A bench of Justices Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanulllah, and Augustine George Masih also pulled up the Punjab and Haryana governments for not implementing court orders in cases of stubble burning.
"Time has come to remind us to the Government of India and state governments that there is a fundamental right of every citizen of India to live in a pollution free environment," the bench said.
"These are not the matters of implementing the existing laws but these are matters of blatant violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India," it added.
It noted that in Punjab more than 1,000 and in Haryana more than 400 cases of stubble burning have been reported till now.
The court said it is not only a question of implementing the orders of the commission (Commission for Air Quality Management) and taking action for breaches of law, the governments must also address the question how they are going to protect the lives of citizens and allow them to live with dignity and in a pollution-free environment.
"Therefore, it is high time that the governments and all other authorities note that this litigation is not an adversarial litigation and this litigation is to only ensure that laws related to the environment are strictly complied with, so that the constitutional rights of the citizens are upheld," the bench said.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by MC Mehta in 1985 seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.
The bench said in matters of environment protection, the court needs to pass harsh orders, which many people may not like it.
It observed that the Centre amended section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, substituting it with a provision relating to punitive action that diluted the rigours of the environmental law.
It said the amended provision came into force April 1, 2024 but it has been rendered completely ineffective due to "inaction" on part of the Centre.
"Neither rules are framed for supporting the said provision nor appointment of adjudicating officers have been made for more than six months now. As adjudicating officers are not appointed under section 15 (c), obviously the law enforcing machinery cannot impose penalties under section 15," it said.
"In absence of machinery created by the Government of India, section 15 as amended has become 'toothless' and there is nothing in the hand of authorities to strictly enforce the provisions of environment protection Act," it added.
The top court said at present those who violate the environmental laws "are going scot-free", as no action can be taken against them.
It also noted the assurance given by ASG Aishwarya Bhati that within two weeks entire machinery will be in existence and the MoEF will come out with regulations to implement the provision for collecting penalties from wrong-doers.
"The manner in which action is being taken by the governments is reflected from the data given across the bar. For example, this year there are 1084 identified cases of stubble burning in Punjab and compensation has been recovered from only 473 persons.
"As far as Haryana is concerned, there are 419 cases identified and FIR has been lodged against 32 of the wrong doers and in case of 320 wrong doers nominal compensation has been recovered," the bench said.
It said both Punjab and Haryana were adopting arbitrary methods in implementing provisions of law.
The top court also pulled up the CAQM for only issuing show cause notices to Punjab and Haryana government officials.
"That is what is troubling. Who is going to bother about show cause notices? Law permits you to prosecute, our orders show that there is persistent failure on their part to comply with CAQM order. Yet, you are simply issuing notice instead of prosecuting. They will file a bulky reply, you will keep giving them hearings and that will give an opportunity to them to challenge those orders," the bench told Bhati.
It questioned the CAQM for recovering only nominal environmental compensation as per formula suggested by the National Green Tribunal from farmers indulging in stubble burning and directed the Centre to fix appropriate rates of compensation in two weeks.
The bench noted the submission of senior advocate Aprajita Singh, appointed amicus curiae in the matter, that year after year this court has been passing orders to curb stubble burning and check air pollution level but nothing happens at ground level.
"We fully agree with amicus and we put all concerned to notice that stricter action has to be taken against those who are responsible for violation," the bench said and directed the Centre and NCR states to file a detailed affidavit on compliance of all orders of the court by next date of hearing.
It asked the Delhi government to submits details about action taken with regard to 13 pollution hotspots in the city, where open garbage burning happens.Imposed Rs 13.25 lakh fine in over a month to prevent stubble burning: PPCB to NGT
New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) The Punjab Pollution Control Board on Thursday told the National Green Tribunal that 1,254 FIRs were registered and a fine of Rs 13.25 lakh imposed on those found indulging in stubble burning in the state from September 15 to October 23.
In its report, the PPCB also said that the state government was continuously monitoring the situation, besides taking steps to improve its enforcement mechanism for stubble burning prevention.
Earlier, the NGT had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a newspaper report regarding the stubble-burning incidents in Punjab polluting the air in the national capital region (NCR).
It had sought regular updates from the PPCB regarding the effective action taken at the ground level.
"The state of Punjab is taking all possible measures in adherence to the law and is enforcing the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal as well as the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act of 2021 (CAQM) to prevent and monitor the stubble burning incidents," the report signed by PPCB member secretary Gurindar Singh Majithia said.
It said between September 15 and October 23, the authorities concerned had registered 1,254 FIRs against people indulging in stubble burning and 496 red entries were made in Khasra Girdawaris (a legal document having details of land and crops), besides imposing environmental compensation of Rs 13.25 lakh, of which Rs 11.67 lakh was recovered.
"With the unceasing efforts of various departments of the Punjab government, the stubble burning incidents have considerably reduced for the period from 15th of September to 23rd of October, 2024, (1,638 incidents) as comparison to the same period of the years 2023 (1,946 incidents) and 2022 (4,598 incidents)," the report said.
It said the state was "continuously monitoring and improving its enforcement mechanisms to prevent stubble burning."16 pc dip in stubble burning incidents in Punjab so far
Chandigarh, Oct 24 (PTI) Punjab has reported 1,638 farm fires so far, registering a 16 per cent dip as compared to the stubble burning incident recorded in corresponding period last year.
The state witnessed 1,946 farm fires till October 23 last year.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said, "The reduction in stubble burning incidents is a testament to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government and the farming community."
Our initiatives, including the provision of CRM machines and the appointment of nodal officers, are yielding positive results, he said.
The minister said 13,616 crop residue management (CRM) machines have been supplied to farmers this year, bringing the total to over 1.43 lakh machines since 2018.
"More than 8,000 nodal officers have been appointed by the government to prevent stubble burning and raise awareness among farmers", Khudian said in a statement.
The minister also highlighted the launch of the 'Unnat Kisan' mobile application, which mapped 1.30 lakh CRM machines to facilitate access for small and marginal farmers to stubble management machines.
He said an action plan of Rs 500 crore was drawn up for stubble management this year.
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi after harvesting of the paddy crop in October and November.