New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has sent flying squads to watch over stubble-burning hotspots in Punjab and Haryana. They have also set up a special coordination center in Mohali to deal with crop residue burning, which is a big cause of pollution in Delhi in the winter.
The CAQM stressed the importance of following its directions 90 and 92 during review meetings with officials from 23 Punjab districts and 22 Haryana districts. These directions are about managing crop residue (CRM) both on the farm (chopping, mulching, shredding) and off the farm (converting it to biogas, biofuel, compost, or fodder).
Punjab has been told to fix problems with machinery, make supply chains stronger, have the Parali Protection Force patrol at night, and speed up the usage of stubble pellets to make power from biomass and straw.
Haryana was told to deal with the lack of CRM machinery, suggest more equipment, and put micro-level stubble management strategies into action, with evening patrols to stop burning. Farmers that burn stubble will be punished and lose benefits.
The CAQM made it clear that there will be no burning of stubble and that they will check on compliance often.