In the latest for farmers, the Centre has increased penalties involved in burning crop stubble, with fines now set to increase as high as Rs 30,000, as part of the efforts to tackle worsening air quality in Delhi and neighbouring regions.
Under the new rules, farmers with less than two acres of land will face a fine of Rs 5,000 and those with between two and five acres will be fined Rs 10,000, while farmers with more than five acres of land will be penalised Rs 30,000 for engaging in stubble burning. The amendment is part of the government’s initiative to reduce air pollution under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act of 2021.
An official notice said, ‘The new rules 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’. Complaints related to pollution will be handled by the pollution control boards and the CAQM, with clear guidelines for conducting enquiries and addressing grievances.
The rise in fines follows criticism from the Supreme Court, which had described previously earlier penalties as ineffective in controlling the practice. The court noted that previous fines were toothless largely due to delays in appointing officers and setting up a proper regulatory framework for enforcement.
The top court had also recently criticised the Delhi government over the blanket ban on firecrackers and the court observed that the ban was hardly implemented and directed the Delhi top cop to file an affidavit stating the measures that were taken to enforce the ban in the national capital. The government’s move is aimed at addressing the air pollution that annually plagues Delhi and its surrounding areas.
On Thursday, the air quality was recorded in the ‘severe’ category in several areas. Anand Vihar, Bawana, Mundka and Wazirpur recorded air quality in the ‘severe’ category, while other areas were in the ‘very poor’ category.
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