Parliament Question: Cases of stubble burning

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 Cases of stubble burning 3111. DR. LAXMIKANT BAJPAYEE: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of cases of stubble burning in the North Indian States during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise and State percentage-wise; (b) whether there is any reduction in such cases during those years and if so, the details thereof in reduction in percentage, State-wise; and (c) the details of various contributing factors/ reasons for achieving reduction in cases of stubble burning and year-wise percentage in reduction in pollution contributed by stubble burning during those years and by when a total stoppage of stubble burning is likely to be achieved? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (c): The details of cases of stubble burning during the paddy harvesting season (from 15th Sep to 30th Nov) in the North Indian States during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise and State percentage-wise are mentioned below: State 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 71304 49922 36663 10909 5114 Punjab (90.77 %) (92.81 %) (93.56 %) (85.56 %) (84.11 %) 6987 3661 2303 1406 662 Haryana (8.89 %) (6.81 %) (5.87 %) (11.03 %) (10.89 %) 4 10 5 13 5 Delhi (0.005 %) (0.01 %) (0.01 %) (0.10 %) (0.08 %) Rajasthan 3 1 3 8 18 (NCR) (0.003 %) (0.001 %) (0.007 %) (0.06 %) (0.29 %) Uttar 252 198 212 414 281 Pradesh (0.32 %) (0.36 %) (0.54 %) (3.24 %) (4.62 %) (NCR) 78550 53792 39186 12750 6080 Total (100 %) (100 %) (100 %) (100 %) (100 %) The major contribution in paddy stubble burning incidences i.e. 95 % and above is from the states of Punjab and Haryana in last five years. Due to the coordinated efforts of variousstakeholders and support of the famers, a significant reduction in the stubble burning incidents has been observed in the last five years in these States. The paddy stubble burning events have reduced by 92.8 % in Punjab and 90.5 % in Haryana during paddy harvesting season in the year 2025 in comparison to the same period in the year 2021. The major steps taken by the Government to discourage and mitigate the practice of crop residue burning are detailed in Annexure.Annexure The major steps taken by the Government to discourage and mitigate the practice of crop residue burning include the following: i. The active fire events due to crop residue burning are monitored using satellite remote sensing, following the "Standard Protocol for Estimation of Crop Residue Burning Fire Events using Satellite Data by Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory, Division of Agricultural Physics, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. ii. Farmers are facilitated with alternative measures like in-situ crop residue management, ex-situ utilization of paddy straw in various applications. The in-situ crop residue management includes in-situ mulching / incorporation of the paddy residue in the field itself through efficient and affordable mechanized means / crop residue management machinery. To support the efforts of the Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi to address air pollution caused due to paddy stubble burning and to subsidize machinery required for management of crop residue, a Central Sector Scheme on Crop Residue Management (CRM) has been implemented by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare w.e.f. 2018-19. Under this scheme, 50% financial assistance is provided to the farmers for purchase of crop residue management machinery and 80% financial assistance is provided to Rural Entrepreneurs (Rural youth and farmer as an entrepreneur), Cooperative Societies of Farmers (Agriculture/ Horticulture/Makhana etc.), Day-NRLM Cluster Level Federations and Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Panchayats for establishment of Custom Hiring Centres of crop residue management machines. Financial support of 65% up to a maximum of Rs. 1.50 Crore is also provided to paddy supply chain projects on the capital cost of machinery and equipment like higher HP Tractors, Cutters, Tedder, Medium to large Balers, Rakers, Loaders, Grabbers & Telehandlers. Financial assistance to the States and ICAR is also provided for undertaking Information, Education and Communication activities for mass awareness of farmers on crop residue management. During the period from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (as on 10.03.2026), Rs. 4237.47 crores have been released. The States have distributed more than 3.53 lakh machines to the individual famers and established more than 43535 CHCs in the States. iii. Regular review meetings have been held on 08.08.2025, 16.09.2025, 10.10.2025, 11.11.2025, 26.11.2025, 03.12.2025, 15.12.2025, 16.12.2025, 17.12.2025, 19.12.2025, 06.01.2026, 12.01.2026 and 20.01.2026 under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on the issues relating to air pollution control in Delhi-NCR, including stubble burning, to deliberate upon the undertaking of air pollution abatement measures and strategies for further strengthening air quality management across the region. Minister level Inter-Ministerial meeting was held on 07.10.2025 under the Co- chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare on the issues of management of Crop Residue Burning. iv. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has been constituted under the CAQM Act, 2021 in accordance with the notification dated 23.04.2021 towards better coordination, research, identification and resolutionof problems surrounding the air quality index in NCR and adjoining areas and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. A comprehensive policy detailing sector-wise actions/interventions and quantified targets and staggered timelines (short-term, medium-term and long-term) was formulated by CAQM and issued in July, 2022, to various stakeholders including Central Government Ministries/Departments, NCR State Governments, GNCTD and Government of Punjab for necessary action and implementation. The targeted action plans with staggered timeline have been stipulated across various contributing sectors including crop residue burning. v. CAQM through Direction 90 dated 09.05.2025 directed to Plan for rent-free availability of CRM machines for small / marginal farmers. vi. CAQM, vide Direction No. 92 dated 03.06.2025, directed the State Governments of Punjab and Haryana to mandate use of paddy straw-based bio-mass 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. vii. CAQM has issued Direction No. 95 on 01.10.2025 authorizing the Deputy Commissioners / District Collectors / District Magistrates in the States of Punjab, Haryana, NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and in the NCT of Delhi to file a complaint before jurisdictional judicial magistrate, in case of inaction in respect of officials, including nodal officers and supervisory officers at various levels and Station House Officers, responsible for effective enforcement towards ensuring elimination of paddy stubble burning in their respective jurisdiction. viii. CAQM has issued Direction No. 96 on 13.02.2026 to Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Government of Punjab and NCR states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for implementing action plans for prevention and elimination of wheat stubble burning in 2026. ix. CAQM has issued directions to all the Coal based Thermal Power Plants located within 300 Kms radius of Delhi to co-fire biomass based pellets, torrefied pellets/ briquettes (upto 5-10%) with coal to promote use of biomass. x. The MoEFCC through notification dated 11.07.2023, as amended, notified Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 mandating minimum five per cent blend of pellets or briquettes made of crop residue along with coal by the Thermal Power Plants in the NCR and Adjoining Areas, failing which said Rules stipulates certain amount of Environmental Compensation against the Thermal Power Plants, as per unit of electricity generated. xi. CAQM has issued directions to State Governments of Punjab and Haryana to mandate 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. xii. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has framed Guidelines for grant of one-time financial support under Environment Protection Charge funds for establishment of pelletization and Torrefaction plants to promote utilization of paddy straw. xiii. 31 Flying Squads from CPCB have been deployed from 01.10.2025 to 30.11.2025 in identified hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana to closely monitor the actions and coordinate with the concerned authorities / officers at the district level, officers of thePollution Control Boards/CAQM cell. These teams provide daily updates, photographic evidence, and compliance status. In addition to the above mentioned measures/action, the Government has regularly reviewed and monitored the actions taken to address air pollution including stubble burning related issues in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. *****