New Delhi, September 27: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed Punjab and Haryana to ensure zero stubble-burning during the upcoming paddy harvest season, warning that strict enforcement of crop residue management measures is essential.
The directions followed review meetings held Thursday and Friday with senior officers, deputy commissioners, district magistrates, and police officials from 23 districts in Punjab and 22 districts in Haryana. The sessions, chaired by CAQM chairperson Rajesh Verma, examined the states’ preparedness to comply with residue management rules.
To strengthen oversight, CAQM announced that flying squad teams will be deployed in hotspot districts of both states to monitor progress on the ground. A dedicated CAQM cell has also been established at Kheti Bhawan in Mohali to coordinate between the states and track paddy residue management activities.
Punjab has been told to bridge gaps in the availability of crop residue management machinery, enable inter-district movement of balers, intensify vigilance through the “Parali Protection Force,” and accelerate biomass co-firing in thermal power plants.
Haryana has been instructed to plug machinery shortages, improve storage facilities for paddy straw bales, offer insurance options for farmers, and take strict action against violators.
Both states were also asked to mobilise crop residue equipment in line with harvesting patterns, step up evening patrolling to curb farm fires, and sensitise local bodies to prevent open burning of municipal solid waste and biomass.
“Stubble-burning cannot be allowed,” the commission said, adding that compliance must be enforced through a mix of incentives and penalties.
