Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Impact of Stubble Burning on Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 173 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## IMPACT OFSTUBBLE BURNING ON HEALTH

## *173. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the estimated health burden on Punjab caused by stubble burning and its contribution to air pollution;
- (b) the number of pollution-related illnesses reported during the season of peak stubble burning in the State of Punjab during the last five years, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government plans on working with agricultural and environmental agencies to address the public health impact of stubble burning; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to ( d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 173 FOR 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

(a) & (b) Air pollution is a collective result of multiple factors including high level of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas, arising from various sectors. During post-monsoon and winter months, lower temperature, lower mixing heights, inversion conditions and stagnant winds lead to trapping of the pollutants resulting in high pollution in the region. This is further aggravated due to the emissions from episodic events like stubble burning etc.

Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. However, there is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of disease exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity and heredity etc. of the individuals.

(c) & (d) Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted to regularly monitor the effective time bound implementation of the various schemes for management of paddy straw in a convergent and synergistic manner. Further, the following steps have been taken by the Government to address the issue:

 Based on the deliberations and discussions held in series of meetings with the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Government of NCT of Delhi, State Pollution Control Board of NCR States and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and various other stake holders viz. ISRO, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has provided a Framework to the States concerned for control / elimination of crop residue burning and directed them to draw up detailed state-specific action plans based on the major contours of the framework.

 As per the framework advised by CAQM, action plans were reviewed, updated and finalized by the all concerned State Governments for the year 2024. Accordingly, a statutory direction for strict implementation of the framework and revised action plan for prevention and control of paddy stubble burning during the year 2024, was issued by CAQM to the respective States on 12.04.2024. Further, to ensure effective enforcement mechanism for implementation, CAQM, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 14(2), vide Direction dated 10.10.2024 has authorised the Deputy Commissioners/District Collectors/District Magistrates in the States of Punjab, Haryana, NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and in the NCT of Delhi to file a complaint/prosecution before jurisdictional judicial magistrate, in case of inaction in respect of officials, including nodal officers and supervisory officers at various levels and Station House Officers, responsible for effective enforcement towards ensuring elimination of paddy stubble burning in their respective jurisdiction.

 Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in 2018 launched a scheme for providing subsidy for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of custom hiring centres in NCT of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for in-situ management of paddy straw.

-  Central Pollution Control Board has framed Guidelines for grant of one-time financial support under Environment Protection Charge funds for establishment of pelletization and Torrefaction plants to promote utilization of paddy straw.
-  Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched a scheme to provide financial assistance to Compressed Bio-gas producers for Procurement of biomass aggregation equipment for ex-situ management of paddy straw.
-  MoHFW has implemented National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health with the objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate sensitive health issues in the country since 2019.

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