The central government on Thursday announced an amendment to the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Rules 2023 that addresses levy, collection and utilization of environmental compensation for stubble burning .

According to the notification released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the central government intends to impose new rules to tackle stubble burning in and around Delhi.

As per the provisions of the new rules, farmers with land area of ​​less than two acres will have to pay environmental compensation of ₹5,000, followed by farmers with land area of ​​two acres or more but less than five acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 10,000. Finally, farmers with a land area of ​​more than five acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 30,000.

These changes reflect the modification of the rules that regulate the imposition of environmental compensation for stubble burning under the Air Quality Management Commission. The amendment to stubble burning rules aims to standardize the penalty structure and enforce these rules keeping in mind farmers with small lands.

This decision comes amid rising pollution levels in the national capital with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 400 mark, according to India’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). .

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday claimed that stubble burning harms the health of farmers and highlighted that the government has provided subsidies to numerous machines.

“We appeal to farmers not to burn stubble as this harms both the environment and public health. The government has made several machines available at subsidized prices. Farmers can also benefit from selling stubble, and we encourage them to explore these options,” he added. Haryana CM said.

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