Stubble burning major contributor to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality: CAQM

livemint.com:

₹3,333 crore under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, of which ₹1,531 crore was released to Punjab and ₹1,006 crore to Haryana. Nearly 1.20 lakh seeder machines are available under the CRM Scheme in Punjab and 76,000 in Haryana. Optimum utilization of these machines could have prevented stubble burning to such a large extent.

State governments of Punjab and Haryana were directed to make full use of available seeder machines to prevent further stubble burning, according to a government statement. Notably, the government of Haryana has been implementing their own incentive scheme for ex-situ management, that is, for procurement of straw from farmers and its transportation, etc. The government of Haryana also informed about an incentive scheme being implemented by them for crop diversification to encourage farmers to shift from paddy to other crops.

The Punjab government should also launch similar schemes and announce them immediately so that stubble burning can be prevented in the remaining part of this year and next year, said the cabinet secretary. All states were asked to ensure effective implementation of the ex-situ crop residue management scheme in their respective States and achieve full utilization of funds. Experts recommend a series of other measures to completely stop stubble burning that releases harmful pollutants into the air and can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.

It can also damage crops and ecosystems. “The government can ban stubble burning altogether, with strict penalties for violators. This would be the most effective way to reduce air pollution from stubble burning.