The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change doubled the penalties for stubble burning and notified the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjacent Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules 2024.

This comes into effect immediately, amid rising air pollution in Delhi and nearby areas.

As per the new rules announced by the central government, farmers owning less than two acres of land will now have to pay ₹5,000 for stubble burning, while those owning between two and five acres of land will pay ₹10,000. Those with more than five acres of land will pay Rs 30,000 for the same.

Earlier, it cost ₹2,500 for those with less than two acres of land, ₹5,000 for two to five acres and ₹15,000 for those owning more than five acres for burning paddy stubble.

The changes reflect the modification of the rules that regulate the imposition of environmental compensation for the burning of stubble in the region, within the framework of the Commission of

Air quality Management. Its objective is to standardize the sanctioning structure, reported ANI.

For the past few days, the national capital has been witnessing thick layer of smog, especially during mornings, while the overall air quality remains in the ‘very poor’ category.

Delhi’s overall AQI was 367 to 10 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Last month, the Supreme Court pulled up the central government for making the environment protection law “useless”, pointing out that the provision of the CAQM Act dealing with penalties for stubble burning was not being implemented.

It further noted that the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Contiguous Areas Act, 2021 (CAQM Act) was enacted without any mechanism to implement the provision to curb air pollutionPTI reported.

The apex court expressed disappointment over the failure of the Punjab and Haryana governments to take meaningful steps to implement the directions issued by the CAQM to stop stubble burning.