NGT admonishes States against burning crop residue by farmers, directs them to frame comprehensive framework
February 21, 2018In a recent order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been directed to file Affidavits explaining the action plan as well as the enforcement of the same for collection and storage of crop residue. The states have been further warned that in absence of the affidavits being filed by the states, the chief secretaries of the states would be called and appropriate action would be taken.
The court cautioned the states to submit the action plan within a span of 2 weeks regarding the measures taken by them in the matter. The scheme formulated by each state should also contain the incentives they are offering to the farmers so that the Tribunal can take further action.
It must be taken into consideration that the farmers in North India burn the crop residue to prevent air pollution in their fields. In Vikrant Tongad case, a judgment passed 2 years ago; the National Green Tribunal had given directions to the state governments in this regard. It included directions relating to the education of farmers to stop crop burning residue as the same is injurious to human health, causes air pollution and is prohibited by law. The Tribunal stated that the state governments are under the obligation to identify sites in each district for removal, collection and storage of crop residue.
The NGT was disappointed to know that no ‘concrete steps’ have been taken by the states in the matter. The Punjab government has already been admonished by the NGT for not taking steps to provide financial assistance and infrastructure facility to the farmers in the said matter. The Tribunal stated that the Punjab government has been lethargic in taking any steps in the matter and it has also failed to tie up with any private or public company which could utilize the crop residue.
The court cautioned the states to submit the action plan within a span of 2 weeks regarding the measures taken by them in the matter. The scheme formulated by each state should also contain the incentives they are offering to the farmers so that the Tribunal can take further action.
It must be taken into consideration that the farmers in North India burn the crop residue to prevent air pollution in their fields. In Vikrant Tongad case, a judgment passed 2 years ago; the National Green Tribunal had given directions to the state governments in this regard. It included directions relating to the education of farmers to stop crop burning residue as the same is injurious to human health, causes air pollution and is prohibited by law. The Tribunal stated that the state governments are under the obligation to identify sites in each district for removal, collection and storage of crop residue.
The NGT was disappointed to know that no ‘concrete steps’ have been taken by the states in the matter. The Punjab government has already been admonished by the NGT for not taking steps to provide financial assistance and infrastructure facility to the farmers in the said matter. The Tribunal stated that the Punjab government has been lethargic in taking any steps in the matter and it has also failed to tie up with any private or public company which could utilize the crop residue.
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