Agencies / NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court today lashed out at the authorities for their failure to curb severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR region. A two-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said if the authorities do not bother about people, they have no right to be in power.
Coming down heavily on State governments, the top court said they have forgotten the concept of welfare government, and it was very unfortunate that they are not bothered about poor people.
The apex court also directed the Centre and State governments of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi to prepare a comprehensive scheme within 3 months to take care of environmental issues.
The bench also directed the three State governments to provide a support of 100 rupees per quintal of stubble, within seven days to small and marginal farmers who have not burned it.
PM Modi directs Agriculture Ministry to distribute equipment to prevent stubble burning
AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Agriculture Ministry to give priority to farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in the distribution of equipment to prevent stubble burning.
Mr Modi chaired the 31st interaction through PRAGATI and reviewed nine projects worth over 61,000 crore rupees related to 16 States and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
National Agriculture Market and Aspirational District Programme were also discussed in the meeting. The Prime Minister laid stress on the importance of focusing on the issue of education and health care of tribal children.
He emphasized on the need to fix the timelines to bring backward districts up to the national average. He also stressed that young officers must be deployed in aspirational districts.
The Prime Minister was informed about the progress in the National Agriculture Market platform which has helped in better price discovery for farmers.
E-payments are now being made directly into the accounts of farmers. Progress in the development of two integrated e-mandis in Jammu & Kashmir was also reviewed.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of infrastructure connectivity projects, including Katra-Banihal Railway Line, widening and up-gradation of Aizawl-Tuipang highway project and Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
He directed that Delhi-Meerut Expressway should be completed by the revised timeline of May 2020. He desired that long-delayed projects should be expedited by the respective State governments.