The Supreme Court of India has directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to hold a meeting with representatives from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to discuss their proposed action plans for addressing the issue of stubble burning.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that Amicus Curiae Aprajita Singh, the CAQM, and the Department of Agriculture, Government of India, have submitted detailed notes on paddy straw management. The court highlighted that the proposed solutions broadly fall into three categories:

1. Action Plan for Crop Diversification

2. Action Plan for In-situ Management of Crop Residue

3. Action Plan for Ex-situ Management of Crop Residue

Additionally, the court acknowledged a proposal for a mass awareness and consultation program. It has instructed CAQM to convene a meeting with the concerned states and directed these states to file their responses. Based on these submissions, CAQM will present its views and submit its suggestions by March 17.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Punjab, informed the bench that while the state is willing to adopt crop diversification and other measures, farmers remain unconvinced about its feasibility. He emphasized the need for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assured procurement to encourage farmers to transition away from paddy cultivation.

Mehra pointed out that while 100% of paddy produce is procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), no such procurement policy exists for crops like maize. "To implement diversification effectively, we need a collective agreement that incentivizes farmers," he asserted.

Advocate General of Punjab, Gurminder Singh, also addressed the court, stating that the last recorded incident of stubble burning occurred on November 15. Despite this, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) remains high. He reiterated Punjab’s commitment to curbing stubble burning while questioning its relative contribution to Delhi’s pollution levels.

The Supreme Court has previously emphasized that stubble burning is not merely a legal violation but an infringement of the fundamental right to a pollution-free environment under Article 21 of the Constitution. In November last year, the court reprimanded the governments of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, directing them to take immediate action against stubble burning.

The court also noted the role of vehicular emissions in worsening Delhi’s air quality, observing that a large number of taxis in the city operate with only one passenger on board. Furthermore, the Supreme Court upheld its blanket ban on the production and sale of firecrackers, including green crackers, in the Delhi-NCR region. It clarified that merely prosecuting individuals for burning firecrackers would not be an effective solution to the larger pollution problem.

The bench reiterated prior directions, including the prohibition of Barium Salts in firecrackers and the ban on manufacturing and selling joined firecrackers. The court emphasized that its orders are aimed at protecting public health and not targeted against any community or festival, stating, "We are not against celebrations, but we cannot compromise the right to life of others."