Mon Feb 03 13:05:43 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Rules Out Punjab as Sole Culprit in Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis

**NEW DELHI** – The Supreme Court of India has ruled that farm fires in Punjab cannot be solely blamed for Delhi’s annual air pollution crisis. While acknowledging the contribution of stubble burning from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, the court noted that Delhi’s air quality plummeted to hazardous levels even after Punjab reported a significant reduction in farm fires post-November 15th.

The court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to meet with the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to finalize action plans focusing on crop diversification and in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residue. Each state government has been ordered to file affidavits outlining their proposed solutions after consultation with the CAQM, followed by a response from the CAQM itself.

This decision comes after Punjab reported a 70% reduction in farm fires between September 15th and November 15th, attributed to increased mechanization in the agricultural sector. Despite this reduction, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated significantly in December and January, indicating other contributing factors beyond stubble burning in Punjab.

The ruling highlights the ongoing debate among states regarding the responsibility for Delhi’s poor air quality. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi blamed the BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, AAP’s Chief Minister Atishi notably excluded Punjab, where the AAP is also in power.

The Supreme Court has previously criticized the Delhi government for lax implementation of anti-firecracker rules, leading to a year-round ban on firecrackers in Delhi and similar directives for Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The court deemed previous explanations from the Delhi government and police as inadequate. The court’s decision underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of Delhi’s air pollution problem, demanding a collaborative effort from all involved states and the central government.

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