New Delhi [India], October 26 (HBTV): In continuation of efforts to curb paddy stubble burning, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) held review meetings with senior officials from Punjab and Haryana on September 25 and the 26th, according to a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change release.
Senior officers from various departments, including District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners, and SSPs from 23 districts of Punjab and 22 districts of Haryana, attended the meetings. The discussions focused on preparedness for the 2025 paddy harvesting season, in line with CAQM Directions 90 and 92, which mandate effective in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management to eliminate stubble burning in hotspot districts.
Flying Squad teams will be deployed in both states to monitor field-level progress. State governments were asked to facilitate these squads and provide updated status reports. A CAQM Cell at Kheti Bhawan, SAS Nagar (Mohali) has been established to monitor paddy stubble management, pollution control, and inter-state coordination.
The meetings reviewed the implementation of State Action Plans for 2025, and the CAQM Chairperson directed the following measures: ensuring adequate availability and mobilization of crop residue management (CRM) machinery, strengthening ex-situ utilisation through a robust supply chain, and developing state-level strategies for inter-district coordination of stubble management.
States were instructed to intensify vigilance through the 'Parali Protection Force', conduct evening patrolling to detect burning events, address pest-affected and waterlogged areas to prevent stubble burning, and promote biomass co-firing in thermal power plants with a 5% co-firing target. States were also asked to ensure proper storage of paddy bales, provide farmer training, offer insurance, and withhold incentives from farmers who resort to stubble burning.
Urban local bodies were reminded to comply with Direction 91 to prevent open burning of municipal solid waste and biomass. While appreciating the progress so far, CAQM reiterated that zero stubble burning in the upcoming season is mandatory and directed strict enforcement of statutory measures.
The Commission emphasised building a self-sustaining ecosystem for stubble management and called on farmers, citizens, and stakeholders to work closely with government agencies to achieve the shared goal of clean air in the NCR and adjoining areas. (ANI)