The Supreme Court today said the procurement price for crop stubble (parali) should be announced well in advance and the management system for it should be provided to gram panchayats, as it began hearing a case on the air pollution crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR).
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana opened the proceedings with a remark from the Chief Justice about the city that has enforced tight anti-pollution measures: “I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi. “Stubble, we keep on talking about… You have provided equipment. Maybe some may still be hesitant about it. What about elite class people?
The Supreme Court also noted that pollution levels had previously dipped due to rainfall and expressed hope that farm fires had stopped as farmers prepare for the next sowing season.
Responding to the bench, senior lawyer Aparajita Singh, who is helping the Supreme Court as the amicus curiae, said air pollution levels remain hovering around the “severe” category and were even affecting her voice. She said breathing the region’s air is equivalent to an individual “smoking 30 cigarettes every day”. Vehicles, high-end cars all operate…” the Supreme Court said.
