Delhi Pollution Crisis: In a bid to tackle the worsening air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions, the Indian government has significantly increased the penalties for farmers engaged in crop stubble burning.
Centre imposed new penalties amid Delhi Pollution crisis
Under the newly amended rules, which take immediate effect, farmers with less than two acres of land will now face a fine of Rs 5,000. Those with between two and five acres will be penalized Rs 10,000, while farmers with more than five acres of land will be slapped with a hefty Rs 30,000 fine for burning crop residue.
The new regulations, which may be called the “Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection, and Utilisation of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024,” are part of the government’s broader push to reduce air pollution under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act of 2021.
As per the official notification, complaints related to pollution will now be handled by the pollution control boards and the CAQM, with clear guidelines for conducting inquiries and addressing grievances.
Supreme Court criticises Centre’s decision
The hike in fines follows sharp criticism from the Supreme Court, which had previously described the earlier penalties as “toothless” and ineffective in curbing the practice of stubble burning. The court noted that the lack of a proper regulatory framework and delays in appointing adjudicating officers had rendered the previous measures largely ineffective.
The court has also recently criticized the Delhi government over the blanket ban on firecrackers, observing that the ban was “hardly implemented” and directing the Delhi Police to file an affidavit on the measures taken to enforce the ban.
Delhi covered in thick smog
The government’s latest move is a direct response to the severe air pollution that plagues the national capital and surrounding areas annually. On Thursday, the air quality was recorded in the ‘severe’ category in many parts of Delhi, with a thick blanket of smog covering the city.
Experts believe that crop stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh is a major contributor to the region’s air pollution crisis. The new, steeper penalties aim to discourage the practice and encourage farmers to explore alternative methods of disposing of crop residue.
With the implementation of these amended rules, the government is hoping to make significant strides in improving the air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas.
