With winter approaching, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has called for strict action against stubble burning to curb worsening air pollution in Delhi and surrounding regions.
Recognising “paddy stubble burning as a matter of grave concern impacting the air quality in NCR”, the commission urged stricter enforcement measures against violators in a recent order released earlier this week.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensure effective implementation of stubble burning action plans on the ground in the latest order issued on Wednesday.
In the letter, the agency noted that under powers granted by the CAQM Act 2021, it has authorised deputy commissioners, district collectors, and district magistrates in Punjab, Haryana, and the NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Delhi, to initiate complaints or prosecutions. This step targets officials, including nodal and supervisory officers, and police station heads, who fail to enforce measures to eliminate paddy stubble burning in their areas.
The CAQM has also directed respective district administrations and the state governments to shoulder higher responsibility and maintain constant and strict vigil to control any further paddy stubble burning in the harvesting season.
These measures are targeted at complete elimination of paddy stubble burning, thereby strengthening the concerned authorities to initiate penal action against officials found responsible for inaction or failure in the effective monitoring and enforcement.
According to sources in the CAQM, this current order is applicable for all the upcoming seasons unlike the previous ones, official sources said.