The National Green Tribunal (NGT) questions Punjab government regarding the management of paddy straw on farmlands while hearing a matter regarding stubble burning in the state.
NGT wants answers regarding the paddy straw management being shifted elsewhere.
A bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said that the tribunal had sought specific information about in-situ management of paddy crop residue as it was a "critical method", involving the removal of the leftover stubble and paddy roots with the help of machines.
The in-situ (at the original place) management of paddy stubble is primarily done with agricultural machines.
The bench comprising judicial member Justice A K Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel averred, "To address this issue the state government has informed that in the year 2023, a total quantity of 11.50 million tons of paddy straw was estimated to be managed by various in-situ methods."
Last week, the bench maintained, that the state government's report did not disclose certain aspects about in-situ management.
"The counsel for the state of Punjab is informed that adequate work for the in-situ management is lacking,” mentioned the tribunal, adding, "The state has yet to take concrete and focused steps to address the issue relating to in-situ management of leftover stubble in the farms."
It directed the state government to provide information like the type and availability of machines that would cater to the total area under paddy cultivation (35,43,580.56 hectares) during 2023–2024.
The tribunal also sought details of district and village-wise locations as well as agencies with which the machines would be available and whether the information would be displayed on any portal or platform of the state government.
It also asked for the details of rentals or any other procurement method by which farmers can get these machines, besides information about the nodal agencies and officials responsible for implementing and monitoring the programme.
Solemnly, Punjab is blamed for air pollution, especially in the national capital during winter.
However, an order slated July 3 by NGT member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, mentioned that there is no scientific background to prove a connection between the pollution of Delhi and the stubble burning in Punjab.
“Har bat ke liye kisan bhaiyon ko zimmedar thehrana mujhe samajh nahi aata hai (Holding farmers responsible for everything is beyond my comprehension)…Prosecuting, fining, and jailing the farmers only (for stubble burning) will be a grave injustice,” he declared.
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