AMN / NEW DELHI
National Green Tribunal has asked Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab to depute a person each to report daily on air pollution due to stubble burning. The green tribunal observed that the worsening air quality is causing fatal diseases to people in Delhi-NCR.
Taking note of a news report stating crop burning shoots up carbon dioxide levels in the air by 70 per cent, the NGT asked Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana governments to sensitise farmers on pollution caused by burning of crop residue. The NGT bench, headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also expressed concern that equipment are yet not made available to farmers.
The Centre’s counsel told the NGT bench that the Union government has disbursed 600 crore rupees which was being paid to farmers to purchase equipment, however, additional funds will have to borne by the states.
The bench said, every year in October-November, problem of air pollution is acute in and around Delhi, threatening the health of infants and senior citizens. The NGT said, 25-30 per cent of air pollution in Delhi-NCR is caused by stubble burning in October and November every year.
The tribunal directed the states to file an action-taken report by 15th of next month.