Fine increased to Rs200,000

LHC raises stakes for stubble burning across Punjab

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim ordered an increase to Rs200,000 fine from previously Rs50,000 against those found involved in stubble burning across the province.

The court also directed the DG disaster management authority to make strengthen the coordination level with all concerned departments to control smog.

Justice Karim observed that the registration of FIRs is not the only solution of stopping stubble burning. Smog is not the only issue relating to our children but our lives too, Justice Karim remarked.

It is everyone’s responsibility to make all out efforts to stop smog. The court also made clear that strict action will be taken against those deputy commissioners who will not take action against those causing stubble burning.

Justice Karim was hearing different petitions about how smog could be controlled, society could be made polluted free and groundwater could be protected from wastage.

As proceedings commenced Tuesday the Deputy Commissioners Kasur, Okara, Gujranwala and Hafizabad were present in the court room. Judicial Water & Environmental Commission’s report was also submitted before the court containing the details of those factories polluting the environment. The report also contained the details of those areas wherein the stubble burning incidents were being reported.

The environmental commission’s member told the court that 153 incidents of stubble burning were reported in last five days.

On a point Justice Karim remarked that majority cases of stubble burning are being reported in Okara.

DC Okara told the court that criminal cases were registered against 151 people who fond involved in setting ablaze to the remnants of the crops.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2022.