PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Major steps taken by Government to discourage and mitigate crop residue burning

India, March 16 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

Crop residue burning has been identified as one of the significant factors in North India, particularly in Delhi NCR region, which aggravates the air quality index in the region during winter season after harvest of the preceding crop for sowing the next crop.

The major steps taken by the Government to discourage and mitigate the practice of crop residue burning include the following:

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 farmers and established more than 43535 CHCs in the States.

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.

With coordinated efforts, the States of Punjab and Haryana have collectively recorded more than 90% reduction in fire incidences during paddy harvesting season in the year 2025 in comparison to the same period in the year 2022.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.