The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed State Governments and district administrations to intensify vigilance against paddy stubble burning during harvest season.
The commission has deputed 26 Central teams to the hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana to set up a Paddy Stubble Management Cell at Chandigarh and continuous monitoring of the field-level actions. However, a total of 267 paddy residue burning events were reported in Punjab and 187 burning events in Haryana from 15th September to 9th October this year.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry said that paddy stubble burning is a matter of grave concern due to its impact on air quality in the National Capital Region.
It said the Commission has been deliberating upon the issue in consultation with the concerned stakeholders including the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.