"Why was the government not ready in advance and why were the machines not provided?" SC asked Punjab.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Punjab government for cases of stubble burning as it heard the matter of air pollution in northern India including capital Delhi.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra directed the state government of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that no stubble burning takes place.
"Nobody will be spared if found violating rules and regulations," Justice Mishra is said as he heard the important matter of pollution.
Justice Mishra observed that everyone knew that stubble burning would happen this year also but asked why no preventive steps were taken. "Why was the government not ready in advance and why were the machines not provided? It seems no steps were taken throughout the year," he said during the hearing attended by chief secretaries of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.
The bench reserved harshest remarks for the Punjab government for not tackling the stubble burning issue in a proper manner. "You have miserably failed in your duty."
Authorities in Punjab on Tuesday said they have amped up the efforts to curb stubble burning. Ludhiana District Administration said it registered a total of 45 FIRs farmers with 22 of being arrested on Tuesday.
Giving the Punjab government seven days to come up with a road map, the Supreme Court said it cannot achieve anything by taking action against farmers without providing a feasible alternative.
Despite claims by state governments, including that by the AAP in Delhi, the pollution level in the national capital rose to a three-year high on Sunday. The national capital's 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 494 at 4 pm on Sunday, the highest since November 6, 2016 when it was 497, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had said.
As a thick smog covered the sky, all schools up to Class 12 were ordered closed in Delhi-NCR.
With stronger wind, the air quality in the region improved on Tuesday, bringing much needed to respite to residents. The Odd-Even scheme of Delhi government, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution, is also in effect from Monday and will continue till November 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also on Tuesday a meeting to discuss the situation arising due to pollution in various part of India including capital Delhi.
Later, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba reviewed the progress made in the arrangements to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
The Centre had on Sunday announced that the Cabinet Secretary would monitor the situation with the governments of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab on a daily basis.
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