New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday suggested that to contain the menace of air pollution strict measures including arrests may have to be imposed to deter farmers from engaging in stubble burning.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai said while farmers are important for the country, it cannot mean that they are allowed to continue stubble burning unchecked.

The bench asked the counsel appearing on behalf of the Punjab government as to why "penalty provisions" were not being imposed.

"If some people are (sent) behind bars, it will send the correct message. Why don't you think of some penalty provisions for the agriculturists. If you have a real intention of protecting the environment, then why shy away?" CJI asked the counsel for the Punjab government.

The CJI added that he had read in newspapers that stubble left behind by crops can be utilised as biofuels.

"We cannot make this a five-yearly exercise. Farmers are special and we are eating because of them but it does not mean that we cannot protect the environment," the CJI verbally remarked.

Underlining its concern towards the environment, the bench reiterated that stricter measures may have to be taken against those who continue to engage in stubble burning in violation of pollution control norms.

The bench added that it may pass orders for the same, if the state (Punjab) is reluctant to introduce such measures. "You take a call, otherwise we will issue a mandamus," the CJI added.

The development took place during the resumed hearing of suo motu proceedings initiated by the apex court earlier this year over the failure of National Capital Region (NCR) states in complying with directives to complete recruitment to their pollution control boards and committees.