Following CAQM's go to to Punjab below the chairpersonship of Rajesh Verma, the Fee held a high-level evaluate assembly with the State Authorities of Punjab on November 7 at Chandigarh to take inventory of actions taken on the bottom by the involved Departments to curb incidents of stubble burning within the area.
In line with the press launch by CAQM, some districts, together with Muktsar and Fazilka, have even proven a rise within the variety of fireplace counts, which is a reason behind concern that requires fast intervention by the State. The Fee noticed that until September 2025, in Punjab, 4 Thermal Energy Crops (TPPs) (2 TPPs of PSPCL: Lehra and Ropar; TSPL- Mansa and NPL- L&T) altogether cofired solely 3.12 Lakh MT of crop residue pellets in opposition to a goal of 11.83 Lakh MT for the interval of 2025-26.
The Fee expressed that lots is required to be performed in Punjab to attain the whole elimination of stubble burning. The Chairperson directed Punjab to instantly scale up efforts to adjust to the Fee's instructions and run a strong IEC marketing campaign, make sure the well timed availability of Crop Residue Administration (CRM) equipment to utilise paddy straw, and lengthen needed help for Compressed Bio-Gasoline (CBG) vegetation and different industries utilising paddy straw. Better on-ground enforcement and accountability mechanisms had been additionally harassed. It was additionally directed to take actions in opposition to the nodal officers and different functionaries below whom the next variety of farm fires have been recorded.
CAQM undertook discipline visits in Punjab to evaluate the bottom scenario associated to crop residue administration and enforcement actions aimed in the direction of the discount in stubble burning incidents, the press launch stated.
The Fee inspected the Thermal Energy Plant at Rajpura in Patiala district, the Compressed Bio-Gasoline (CBG) plant at Lehragaga in Sangrur district, the on-ground in-situ administration of straw by equipment and the Thermal Energy Plant in Lehra Mohabbat in Bathinda district. In line with the press launch by CAQM, whereas inspecting the Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Energy Plant, the Chairperson expressed severe concern over its poor operational situation and non-compliance with prescribed emission norms and air high quality requirements. Chairperson, CAQM, cautioned that if fast measures aren't undertaken, the Fee could also be compelled to problem closure instructions to the plant. In the course of the go to, the group witnessed stray incidents of stubble burning. Additional, taking inventory of actions taken by Haryana to curb air air pollution within the State, the Fee additionally held an in depth evaluate assembly with the State Authorities of Haryana on November 7, at Chandigarh. It was highlighted that between September 15 and November 6, Haryana reported 206 farm fireplace incidents in comparison with 888 incidents throughout the identical interval in 2024.
The discount is a results of a proactive, incentive-based, and enforcement-driven method. Additional, CAQM famous that monetary incentives prolonged to farmers for in-situ and ex-situ administration of crop residue have caused a significant behavioural shift. The Fee underscored that with concerted efforts, the incidents of farm fires will be eradicated utterly.
The Fee additionally reviewed different key air air pollution sectors in Haryana, together with vehicular emissions, industrial sources, mud from development and demolition actions, highway mud, Municipal Strong Waste (MSW) administration, and so forth. and directed to take needed actions for abatement of air pollution from these sources.
The Fee reiterated the significance of enhanced coordination, focused implementation of the Motion Plans, and strict enforcement of the Statutory Instructions issued by the Fee for sustainable crop residue administration and for guaranteeing clear air within the area, the press launch stated.
