Date: 2025-06-03Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
CAQM issues Statutory Direction mandating all brick kilns located in the districts beyond NCR area of Haryana and the State of Punjab for co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes
**Policy Summary:**
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued Statutory Direction No. 92, mandating the governments of Haryana and Punjab to ensure the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets/briquettes in brick kilns located in districts beyond the National Capital Region (NCR). This policy aims to combat air pollution caused by open paddy stubble burning. The directive establishes a phased implementation schedule, requiring brick kilns to achieve a minimum cofiring rate of paddy straw-based pellets/briquettes, starting with 20% by November 1, 2025, and increasing incrementally to 50% by November 1, 2028. The governments of Haryana and Punjab are required to issue the necessary orders and provide monthly updates on their progress to the CAQM.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Government ministry responsible for environmental, forest, and climate change issues.
CAQM: Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas.
Statutory Direction: A formal directive issued by the CAQM mandating specific actions.
Haryana: A state in India.
Punjab: A state in India.
NCR: National Capital Region, a metropolitan area in India that includes Delhi and surrounding areas.
paddy straw based pellets briquettes: A type of biomass fuel made from paddy straw.
01.11.2028: Effective date for 50% cofiring of paddy straw based pellets briquettes.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi.
National Capital Region: A region surrounding Delhi.
Statutory Direction No. 92: Specific directive issued by CAQM.
01.11.2025: Effective date for 20% cofiring of paddy straw based pellets briquettes.
01.11.2026: Effective date for 30% cofiring of paddy straw based pellets briquettes.
01.11.2027: Effective date for 40% cofiring of paddy straw based pellets briquettes.
VMGS Release ID: 2133553: Unique identifier for the release.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM issues Statutory Direction mandating all brick
kilns located in the districts beyond NCR area of
Haryana and the State of Punjab for co-firing of
paddy straw based pellets / briquettes
Pursuant to Statutory Directions of CAQM, State of
Haryana and Punjab aims for at least 50% co-firing
of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes w.e.f.
01.11.2028
Posted On: 03 JUN 2025 4:56PM by PIB Delhi
In a vital step to combat the issue of open paddy stubble burning severely contributing to deterioration of air
quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and
Adjoining Areas (CAQM) via Statutory Direction No. 92, has directed State Governments of Haryana and
Punjab to mandate the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets/ briquettes in all brick kilns located in the
districts beyond NCR, as one of the means towards elimination of the practice of open paddy stubble burning.
The Commission envisions complete elimination of open burning of crop residue, promoting clean,
sustainable fuel alternatives in the industrial sector.
Aiming for 50% co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes, the Statutory Direction mandates
all brick kilns located in the districts beyond NCR area of Haryana and the State of Punjab to adopt
co-firing of paddy straw based pellets/ briquettes. The State Governments of Haryana and Punjab
have been directed to ensure at least:
20% co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes w.e.f. 01.11.2025;
(cid:108)
30% co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes w.e.f. 01.11.2026;
(cid:108)
40% co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes w.e.f. 01.11.2027; and
(cid:108)
50% co-firing of paddy straw based pellets / briquettes w.e.f. 01.11.2028
(cid:108)
The State Governments of Punjab and Haryana have been instructed to issue requisite Directions/
Orders in this context mandating the above stipulation for use of paddy straw-based bio-mass
pellets/ briquettes in brick kilns located in non-NCR areas. Further, action taken towards compliance
of these Directions shall be apprised to the Commission every month.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2133553)