Lok Sabha Question No. 812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Pollution due to Stubble Burning
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 812

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2021

## Pollution due to Stubble Burning

## 812 SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has called for a meeting with Northern States of the country regarding resumption and sharp rise of stubble burning and deterioration of air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether  any  concrete  steps  are  proposed  to  be  taken  to  reduce/curb  the  rising pollution levels in NCR and other neighbouring States;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including any plans being envisaged to set up a Commission in this regard; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)  &  (b)  The  Union  Government has called for  several  meetings  with  Northern  States Viz.Punjab, Haryana,  Uttar  Pradesh  and NCT  of  Delhi,  regarding  Crop  Residue management andAir Quality Management. The following directions were issued to the states:

- a. Optimal utilization of crop residue management machinery by using FARMS App  and  intensifying  efforts  through  administrative  and  IEC  (Information, Education and Communication) activities.
- b. Closure of hot mix plants and stone crushers till January 20, 2020.
- c. Frequency  of  mechanized  cleaning  of  roads  and  water  sprinkling  to  be increased particularly on the road stretches with high dust generation potential.
- d. It  shall  be  ensured  that  guidelines  /  standard  operating  procedures  for  dust mitigation  at  construction  sites  are  strictly  adhered  to.  In  case  of  violations, strict action should be taken against the violators like imposition of penalty / temporary stoppage of construction activities.
- e. The  states  of  Punjab  and  Haryana  must  take  immediate  stringent  actions  to curb  stubble  burning  Biomass  burning  in  Delhi  and  other  NCR  towns  must also be strictly checked.
- f. Agencies  must  ensure  compliance  of  orders  of  Hon'ble  courts  and  national Green Tribunal regarding banning of sale and use of firecrackers.
- g. Agencies must ensure that there are no incidences of open burning of wood/ garbage/  biomass/  industrial  waste.  In  case  of  violations,  penalty  should  be imposed in accordance to law.
8. (c)  to  (e)  The  Government  has  taken  several  actions  to  curb  air  pollution  in  Delhi-NCR region, which interalia includes following:
9.  A  Commission  for  Air  Quality  Management  in  National  Capital  Region  and Adjoining  Areas'  has  been  constituted  through  promulgation  of  an  ordinance  to replace  multiple  Committees  and  to  streamline  public  participation,  inter-State cooperation,  expert  involvement,  research  and  innovation  so  as  to  mitigate    air pollution in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas.
10.  Comprehensive  Action  Plan  (CAP)  and  Graded  Response  Action  Plan  identifying timelines and implementing agency for actions identified for prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution in Delhi and NCR has been notified.
11.  All operational brick kilns have been shifted to zig-zag technology in Delhi and NCR.
12.  Installation  of  on-line  continuous  (24x7)  monitoring  devices  for  all  red  category industries in Delhi and NCR.
13.  A new Central Sector Scheme on 'Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ management  of  Crop  Residue  in  the  States  of  Punjab,  Haryana,  Uttar  Pradesh  and NCT of Delhi' has been launched.
14.  Banning of burning of biomass.
15.  Advisory issued to Implementing agencies and State Boards in Delhi NCR regarding use of mechanised rod sweeping and dust suppressant.
16.  Development of mechanism for redressal of public complaints regarding air pollution issues in Delhi and NCR (through 'Sameer App', 'Emails'(aircomplaints.cpcb@gov.in)  and  'Social  Media  Networks'  (Facebook  and Twitter) etc.
17.  Concerted actions as above have had a positive impact on air quality of Delhi-NCR region and improvement has been noted in the Air Quality as under:

|                                 |   2016 |   2017 |   2018 |   2019 |
|---------------------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Number of Good to Moderate days |    108 |    152 |    159 |    182 |
| Number of Poor to Severe days   |    246 |    213 |    206 |    183 |