BATHINDA: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed five states, including Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Delhi, to file affidavits in a week outlining steps being taken to control crop residue burning. The commission for air quality management (CAQM) had filed a status report about the steps been taken to contain farm fires appraising the court that nearly 40% decrease has been recorded in straw burning cases as compared to previous year yet the court showing its annoyance on AQI observed that it seems much more is on paper as on ground situation is worse.The court also mentioned its October 10 order wherein CAQM was directed to provide status report on stubble burning. The CAQM chairperson MM Kutty on September 21 has held meeting through video conferencing with deputy commissioners of Punjab asking them to ensure at least 50% cases are reduced in the ongoing paddy harvesting season. Punjab has witnessed over 1,000 crop residue burning cases for the last two consecutive days.Meanwhile, the activists of farmer organisation BKU Ekta Dakaunda collectively burnt crop residue in Khiala, Kotla and Joga village in Mansa district.

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