Explain rise in farm fires in last 10 days of Oct: Supreme Court to Punjab, Haryana

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to explain the rise in farm fires in the last 10 days of October. The top court also suggested some strict action like sealing of premises for those violating firecracker ban in the Capital.

During a hearing on the issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih referred to a report of the Centre for Science and Environment to point out that the Diwali in 2024 was warmer than that in 2022 and 2023.

Taking strong exception to the flouting of its order banning firecrackers in Delhi, the top court asked the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police Commissioner to file affidavits within a week explaining why the ban on bursting firecrackers was violated during Diwali.

“We want the Delhi Government to immediately respond as to why this has happened. We will simultaneously issue notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner as to why there is non-compliance. We have to hear this immediately. The real problem is that this is all under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, which after amendment this year, has only penalty provisions,” the Bench noted.

Asking the Delhi Government to consider implementing a perpetual firecracker ban in Delhi, it posted the matter for further hearing on November 14. The affidavit should give details of steps to be taken to ensure that firecracker-related pollution did not happen again during next year’s Diwali.

“Some strict action is needed for those violating firecracker ban like sealing of their premises…. We will do something to ensure that court orders on the firecracker ban are not violated during Diwali 2025,” Justice Oka said.