Question : Air Pollution from Stubble Burning

(a) whether the stubble burning in States such as Haryana, Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh is a major source of air pollution in North India in the month of October and November;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to mitigate air pollution caused due to stubble burning;
(c) whether the has allocated funds to discourage stubble burning and improve air quality in the country including Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is contemplating a special scheme to support the efforts of the State Governments to address air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) Burning of crop residue in States such as Haryana, Punjab, Western U.P. may lead to higher level of air pollution specially during adverse meteorological conditions in early winter in North India. Government has taken various steps to address the issue of air pollution due to crop residue burning which include banning of stubble burning, mass awareness programmes and identification of in situ management of crop residue as the most feasible option amongst various alternatives.

(c) to (e) A new Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi for the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20 has been announced by the Hon’ble Finance Minister in his budget speech this year (estimated cost - Rs. 1151.80 crore).

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