Lok Sabha Question No. 3902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Biomass Burning
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: B.N. CHANDRAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3902

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## BIOMASS BURING

## 3902.  SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the biomass burning in some State causing massive air-pollution in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  demand  for  power  and  exhaustible  fossil  fuels  have  increased  the  difficulties  in meeting even minimum energy needs in many areas of the country, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to utilize agricultural residues for twin benefits of pollution abatement and increasing the production of biogas in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY &  MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): As  per  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change (MOEF&CC),burning of agricultural  waste  in  open  fields  and  other  biomass  may  lead  to  increased level  of  air  pollution  in  the  local  and  adjoining  areas,  particularly  during  adverse  meteorological conditions  like  low  temperature,  poor  wind  speed  and  low  mixing  height.    A  report  of  IIT,  Kanpur suggests that crop residue burning and other biomass may be transported to the other places from the sources in upwind.

- (b): As  per  the  information  obtained  from  Ministry  of  Power,  the  power  supply  position  in  the country is comfortable with all India energy shortage of  0.7 % only during the period April-October 2016.
- (c): Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has finalized the National Policy for Management of Crop Residues in 2014. The Policy envisages adoption of technical measures including diversified uses  of  crop  residue,  capacity  building  and  training  and  extending  central  financial  assistance  for various  interventions  proposed  by  States  under  the  ongoing  Schemes/Programmes/Missions  of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

Implementation of 'The  National  Policy  for  Management  of  Crop  Residue, 2014'  of  Ministry  of Agriculture by NCR States subsidizing farmers @ 50% of the cost of agriculture machineries such as Gyrorake, Baler, Chopper Shredder, Rotavator, Happy Seeder, Zero Till Drill etc. during the year 201314 and 2014-15 in Punjab; issuing Notifications under Section 19 (5) of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 through State Governments from prohibiting or restricting the open burning of straw; issuing directions under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 by CPCB to the State Pollution Control Boards/Committees for abatement of air pollution and improvement  of  ambient  air  quality  including  directions  for  ensuring  strict  enforcement  of  ban  on burning of agricultural waste, crop residue and biomass; conducting regular co-ordination meetings at official  and  ministerial  level  with  State  Governments;  Setting  up  of  bio-mass  power  plants  through State Governments.  Government has taken several measures to control the stubble burning which, inter alia,  include  State/UT  Governments  requesting  to  issue  advisory  for  curbing  stubble  burning  in northern States of India; organising educative workshops.

Biogas plants of about 250kW capacity based on agricultural waste /residues are eligible for subsidy under the programme on energy from urban, industrial and agricultural waste/ residues.