It was also apprised by various petitioners that there has been a substantial increase in stubble-burning cases in both states, to which, the SC called it an “absolute defiance” of the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM), which also couldn’t do its duty to take steps to control stubble burning and related issues.The apex court had earlier in its order directed the CAQM to take penal action against Haryana government officials for failure to take action against the violators.The top court said “CAQM has become a toothless tiger.”The top court was hearing the issue of non-compliance of orders passed by the CAQM in NCR, particularly regarding stubble burning.The apex court had earlier slammed the CAQM over its failure to curb air pollution due to crop residue burning, as it had said the air quality panel needed to be more active in its approach to dealing with the issue.The top court had highlighted that the Commission should make its best efforts to ensure that stubble-burning alternative equipment is used at the grassroots level.Amicus curiae (Friend of court) Aparajita Singh had pointed out that the CAQM was not doing enough to tackle the issue. “What effective action are they taking? … If it is still continuing year after year, then these are not answers,” Singh had told the Bench.
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