Overview
- The court set 19 November for the Union government to present a comprehensive action plan led by the MoEFCC with coordination across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
- Punjab and Haryana were directed to hold a joint meeting and fully implement CAQM recommendations to curb stubble burning.
- The Delhi government was ordered to file an affidavit on the technology and accuracy of its AQI monitoring after reports of water being sprayed near stations.
- The bench declined blanket prohibitions under GRAP, citing the framework’s scientific, graded design and the livelihood impact of year-round bans.
- Judges emphasized that temporary or piecemeal steps have not delivered sustained improvement, noting claimed declines in farm fires have not translated into better air quality.