The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), under the chairpersonship of Shri Rajesh Verma, reviewed actions taken by Haryana and Punjab to eliminate stubble burning during the paddy harvest season 2025. The review occurred after field visits in Punjab to assess crop residue management and enforcement activities.
Key findings and directives:
* **Punjab:** Recorded 3,284 stubble burning incidents between September 15th and November 6th, 2025, compared to 5,041 during the same period last year. Districts like Muktsar and Fazilka showed an increase. The Commission directed Punjab to scale up efforts, comply with directions, run an IEC campaign, ensure timely availability of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery, support Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants, and take action against nodal officers under whom higher numbers of farm fires have been recorded. 4 Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) (2 TPPs of PSPCL: Lehra and Ropar; TSPL- Mansa and NPL- L&T) cofired only 3.12 Lakh MT of crop residue pellets against a target of 11.83 Lakh MT for the period of 2025-26.
* **Haryana:** Reported 206 farm fire incidents between September 15th and November 6th, 2025, compared to 888 incidents during the same period in 2024, due to proactive measures and financial incentives for farmers.
* **Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Power Plant:** The Chairperson expressed serious concern over its poor operational condition and non-compliance. The Commission cautioned it may issue closure directions.
* The Commission also reviewed other key air pollution sectors in Haryana and directed necessary actions for abatement of pollution.
A high-level review meeting was held with the State Government of Punjab on November 7th, 2025, in Chandigarh. A detailed review meeting was held with the State Government of Haryana on November 7th 2025 at Chandigarh.
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Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): Primary regulator responsible for air quality management and addressing stubble burning in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
Haryana: State implementing measures to reduce stubble burning incidents.
Punjab: State where field visits and review meetings were conducted regarding stubble burning.
Crop Residue Management (CRM): Refers to machinery and processes used to manage paddy straw and reduce stubble burning, supported by the commission.
Stubble Burning: The practice of setting fire to crop residue after harvest, resulting in air pollution; the primary issue the policy addresses.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM reviews Actions Taken by Haryana and
Punjab to eliminate Stubble Burning during
Paddy Harvest Season 2025
Commission calls for Urgent and Coordinated Actions in
Punjab to curb incidents of Stubble Burning
Haryana shows Significant Decline in Stubble Burning
incidents through Incentive Schemes, Enforcement and
On-ground Interventions
Posted On: 08 NOV 2025 6:57PM by PIB Delhi
Taking a tough call against the incidents of stubble burning, the Commission for Air Quality
Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), under the chairpersonship of Shri Rajesh Verma,
undertook field visits in Punjab to assess the ground situation related to crop residue management and
enforcement activities aimed towards reduction in stubble burning incidents.
The Commission inspected Thermal Power Plant at Rajpura in Patiala district, Compressed Bio-Gas
(CBG) plant at Lehragaga in Sangrur district, on ground in-situ management of straw through
machinery and Thermal Power Plant in Lehra Mohabbat in Bathinda district. While inspecting the
Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Power Plant, the Chairperson expressed serious concern over its poor
operational condition and non-compliance with prescribed emission norms and air quality standards.
Chairperson, CAQM cautioned that if immediate measures are not undertaken, the Commission may
be compelled to issue closure directions to the plant. During the visit, the team witnessed stray
incidents of stubble burning.
Following the visit, the Commission held a high-level review meeting with the State Government of
Punjab on the 7th November 2025 at Chandigarh, to take stock of actions taken on ground by the
concerned Departments to curb incidents of stubble burning in the region. During the review meeting,
the Commission noted that between 15th September and 6th November 2025, Punjab recorded 3,284
stubble burning incidents compared to 5,041 during the same period last year, indicating marginal
improvement compared to last year. Some districts viz. Muktsar and Fazilka have even shown
increase in the number of fire counts, which is a cause of concern that requires immediate
intervention by the State. The Commission observed that till September 2025 in Punjab, 4 ThermalPower Plants (TPPs) (2 TPPs of PSPCL: Lehra and Ropar; TSPL- Mansa and NPL- L&T) altogether
cofired only 3.12 Lakh MT of crop residue pellets against a target of 11.83 Lakh MT for the period of
2025-26.
The Commission expressed that a lot is required to be done in Punjab to achieve complete elimination
of stubble burning. The Chairperson directed Punjab to immediately scale-up efforts to comply with
Commission’s directions and, run a robust IEC campaign. It was directed to ensure timely availability
of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery to utilize paddy straw, and extend necessary support
for Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants and other industries utilizing paddy straw. Greater on-ground
enforcement and accountability mechanisms were also stressed upon. It was also directed to take
actions against the nodal officers and other functionaries under whom higher number of farm fires
have been recorded.
Further, taking stock of actions taken by Haryana to curb air pollution in the State, the Commission
also held a detailed review meeting with the State Government of Haryana on 7th November 2025 at
Chandigarh. It was highlighted that between 15th September and 6th November 2025, Haryana
reported 206 farm fire incidents compared to 888 incidents during the same period in 2024. The
reduction is a result of proactive, incentive-based, and enforcement-driven approach. Further, CAQM
noted that financial incentives extended to farmers for in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residue
have brought about a major behavioural shift. The Commission underscored that with concerted
efforts the incidences of farm fires can be eliminated completely.
The Commission also reviewed other key air pollution sectors in Haryana, including vehicular
emissions, industrial sources, dust from construction and demolition activities, road dust, Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) management, etc. and directed to take necessary actions for abatement of
pollution from these sources. The Commission reiterated the importance of enhanced coordination,
targeted implementation of the Action Plans, and strict enforcement of the Statutory Directions issued
by the Commission for sustainable crop residue management and for ensuring clean air in the region.
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VM
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