Farmers burning stubble could face jail, rules Supreme Court
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, September 17, 2025: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took a tough stand on the recurring issue of air pollution and stubble burning in Delhi-NCR. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B.R. Gavai, during a hearing, observed that sending some farmers to jail for burning stubble could send a strong deterrent message. He questioned why authorities were hesitant to take strict punitive action against offenders.
CJI’s Key Observations
- On punitive action: “If some people go behind bars, it will send the right message. Why don’t you think about punitive provisions for farmers? If your true intent is to protect the environment, why step back?” the CJI remarked.
- On farmers’ importance: He acknowledged, “Farmers are special to us, we survive because of them… but that doesn’t mean we cannot protect the environment.”
- On alternatives to burning: The bench also asked whether stubble could be converted into fuel, as reported in some newspapers.
Rebuke to States
The apex court also pulled up state governments over vacant posts in Pollution Control Boards.
- Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab have been directed to fill these vacancies within three months.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been asked to submit a report within three weeks detailing measures to curb air pollution.
Why stubble burning remains a problem
Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh informed the court that despite subsidies and equipment provided to farmers, stubble burning incidents persist. Every year in October–November, large-scale burning of crop residue in Punjab and Haryana severely deteriorates air quality in Delhi-NCR. Farmers argue that burning is a cheaper and faster way to clear fields compared to expensive machines.
The Supreme Court’s remarks are being seen as a clear warning that tougher penalties, including jail, could now be on the horizon for violators.