oppn parties Centre Cites Scientific Study To Claim That Stubble Burning Is Not A Major Contributor To Pollution In Delhi

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Centre Cites Scientific Study To Claim That Stubble Burning Is Not A Major Contributor To Pollution In Delhi

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2021-11-15 16:20:37

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.

The Centre today presented facts (in the form of a scientific study) before the Supreme Court that proved that stubble burning, often said to be the main culprit behind the worsening air quality in Delhi, contributes less than 10 percent to the overall pollution in the capital, prompting the apex court to pull up the Delhi government for making excuses. The bench categorically said that industry, transport and dust particles were mainly responsible for making life hell for the people of Delhi and called them "the major culprit of pollution", though it also advised neighbouring states to try and stop stubble burning for a week to bring down the pollution level in the capital. But the AAP government in Delhi accused the Centre of "misleading the Supreme Court" and the lawyer for the petitioners said that the government was taking this stand as it did not want to displease the farmers.

There is no doubt that stubble burning contributes in worsening the air quality in Delhi. For years, the governments at the Centre and in the states have been thinking of ways to put a stop to the practice. But till now, the percentage of contribution of stubble burning (variously pegged at between 30 and 40 percent) was just a guesstimate. But the scientific study now cited by the Centre has put it at within 10 percent. The Centre had, however, in an earlier affidavit before the apex court, put it at 40 percent, as AAP has pointed out.

But as the Centre has now cited facts, just berating it for deviating from its earlier position is not enough. Those who still feel that stubble burning is contributing more than 10 percent need to counter that with their own verified facts. Till that is done, the scientific study cited by the Centre and accepted, for all practical purposes by the apex court, will rule. Hence, till it has facts that prove otherwise, the Delhi government will do well to heed the suggestions of the apex court and try and reduce pollution by taking steps to control industrial and vehicular pollution as also the dust particles released in the air by construction and other activities. 

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