Air quality commission doubles fine on farmers for stubble burning

News: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has doubled the penalties applicable to farmers caught indulging in stubble burning. This comes after the Supreme Court criticised CAQM for inadequately addressing stubble burning.

1. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): It is a statutory body set up in 2021 through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

2. Its primary goal is to improve air quality in the National Capital Region and its surrounding areas by ensuring better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index.

3. The commission focuses on formulating plans for air quality management, enforcing pollution control laws, coordinating between states and stakeholders and implementing action plans to control pollution from vehicles, industries, stubble burning etc.

4. The commission is a multi-tier body headed by a chairperson, who is a government official of the rank of secretary or chief secretary. The chairperson will hold the office for three years or until attaining the age of 70 years.

5. Stubble Burning: It is the practice of intentionally setting the straw stubble on fire, left after harvesting grains like paddy and wheat to prepare the field for sowing the next crop.

6. Stubble burning by farmers in Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh is considered as one of the major causes of air pollution in Delhi and NCR.

7. Its Impact: A) Releases toxic pollutants B) Reduces soil fertility C) Increases heat penetration into the soil.

8. Alternatives: A) Turbo Happy Seeder B) Pusa Bio-Decomposer