To combat air pollution, the Haryana government has increased the charge for stubble burning to ₹ 5,000 for two acres of land, up from ₹ 2,500 before. The total amount collected so far is ₹ 1.65 lakh.
Babu Lal, Deputy Director of Agriculture, stated, “In Kaithal district, 172 incidences of stubble burning have been found so far, with 67 cases being questionable, but we have reported cases in 93 of them. The fine collected thus far is ₹ 1.65 lakh. The penalties for up to 2 acres of land has been raised from ₹ 2500 to ₹ 5000 under the new laws.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken a significant step to curb stubble burning by issuing orders to ensure the imposition of revised Environmental Compensation (EC) in cases of stubble burning instances.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change press release, the directive was issued on November 7, 2024, and is addressed to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
According to the notification of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Delhi region and adjoining areas (imposition, collection and utilization of environmental compensation for stubble burning) Amendment Rules, 2024 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide Notification No. G.S.R. 690(E) dated November 6, rates of EC for stubble burning have been revised.
Under the revised rules from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, farmers with less than two acres who earlier paid ₹ 2,500 will now have to pay ₹ 5,000, the release mentioned.
Farmers with a land size of two acres or more but less than five acres, who previously paid ₹ 5,000, must now pay ₹ 10000 under the modified guidelines. Farmers with more than five acres of land will now pay ₹ 30,000, up from ₹ 15,000.
The Commission, in an order issued on November 7, authorized all Nodal and Supervisory Officers appointed by the respective governments in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, NCR areas of Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to impose fines and collect Environmental Compensation from farmers who cause air pollution by stubble burning at the revised rates. This directive must be executed by the various state governments with immediate effect.
The new EC rates are intended to discourage farmers from engaging in stubble burning and other actions that significantly contribute to regional air pollution levels.
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Source: NDTV
