The Supreme Court is taking a firm stance on the persistent issue of stubble burning, particularly in the states surrounding Delhi, as it continues to contribute significantly to the region's hazardous air pollution levels. The Court has expressed strong displeasure with the lack of effective action taken by the governments of Punjab and Haryana to curb this practice.

The Court has criticized the states for their "defiant attitude" and failure to prosecute farmers who continue to burn crop residue. Despite directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to halt stubble burning, the Court noted that minimal steps have been taken to implement these directions. In some instances, nominal fines were imposed, but a lack of prosecutions was evident. The Supreme Court has summoned chief secretaries to explain the lack of action and has even suggested that the state governments' efforts are mere "eyewash".

To address the problem, the Supreme Court has directed the CAQM to collaborate with the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to develop comprehensive action plans. These plans include promoting crop diversification, managing crop residue in situ (on-site) and ex situ (off-site), and launching awareness campaigns. The court has emphasized the need for a long-term solution and has called for the establishment of a robust monitoring mechanism using advanced satellite technology to ensure round-the-clock data availability.

Crop diversification is a key strategy, encouraging farmers to cultivate alternative crops like maize, sugarcane, and cotton instead of relying solely on paddy, which produces large amounts of straw. The states have proposed to shift hundreds of thousands of hectares from non-Basmati rice to these alternative crops. The court has also acknowledged the importance of providing farmers with a minimum support price and assured procurement for these alternative crops to incentivize the shift.

The Supreme Court has made it clear that it will not tolerate further delays or inaction. It has stated that it does not care how the states achieve the goal of stopping stubble burning, whether through forceful actions, incentives, or other means. The Court has even suggested holding local Station House Officers (SHOs) responsible for ensuring compliance.

While acknowledging the efforts made, the Supreme Court remains determined to find a lasting solution to the stubble burning issue and improve the air quality in Delhi and the surrounding regions. The Court has set deadlines for the CAQM and the states to submit their recommendations and action plans, indicating its commitment to resolving this critical environmental problem. The Supreme Court has been monitoring air pollution issues since 1985, but only recently turned its focus on crop burning in 2017. By November 2019, the court ordered a complete stop to stubble fires.