The Supreme Court on Friday highlighted the need for a planned system to tackle crop stubble management, saying farmers should be informed about procurement prices well before the harvesting season. The court also stressed that gram panchayats should be equipped with a mechanism to manage the process as it heard a case concerning air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The hearing began with a pointed observation from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who remarked on the conditions in the national capital.
"I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi," the Chief Justice said.
Court calls for advance announcement of stubble prices
A three-judge bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the procurement price for crop stubble, commonly known as parali, should be declared well in advance.
It also said gram panchayats should be provided with a proper management system to handle the procurement and collection of stubble.
The observations came during the hearing on the air pollution crisis affecting Delhi and the wider NCR region.
Amicus curiae flags severe air quality
Senior lawyer Aparajita Singh, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, responded to the Chief Justice's remark by drawing attention to the prevailing pollution levels.
Singh said air quality in the region continued to hover around the "severe" category and that the pollution was affecting her voice as well.
Highlighting the impact of the conditions on people's health, she said breathing the region's air was equivalent to an individual "smoking 30 cigarettes every day".
The exchange brought the focus back to the continuing pollution concerns in the national capital, alongside the court's emphasis on advance planning for crop stubble procurement and management.