As part of efforts to tackle the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and neighboring areas, the Center has increased the fine for farmers burning stubble, now the fine will increase to Rs 30,000.
Under the new rules, which will be implemented with immediate effect, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on farmers having less than two acres of land. Farmers with land between two to five acres will be fined Rs 10,000, while farmers with more than five acres of land will be fined Rs 30,000 for burning stubble.
As part of efforts to tackle the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and neighboring areas, the Center has increased the fine for farmers burning stubble, now the fine will increase to Rs 30,000.
Under the new rules, which will come into effect with immediate effect, farmers with less than two acres of land will be fined Rs 5,000. Farmers with land between two to five acres will be fined Rs 10,000, while farmers with more than five acres of land will be fined Rs 30,000 for burning stubble.
The new rules may be called the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024, an official notice said.
As part of the new measures, pollution-related complaints will be handled by the Pollution Control Board and CAQM, with clear guidelines for investigating and resolving complaints.
The increase in fines comes after sharp criticism from the Supreme Court, which had previously said previous penalties were ineffective in stopping the practice.
The court said previous fines were “ineffective” largely due to delays in appointing adjudication officers and setting up a proper regulatory framework for enforcement.
The apex court had recently also criticized the Delhi government for the complete ban on firecrackers. The court found that the ban was “enforced with difficulty” and directed the top Delhi police officer to file an affidavit detailing what measures were taken to enforce the ban in the national capital.
The move by the government aims to address the severe air pollution that occurs every year in Delhi and its surrounding areas. On Thursday, air quality was recorded in ‘severe’ category in many areas. The air quality in Anand Vihar, Bawana, Mundka and Wazirpur was recorded in the ‘severe’ category, while other areas were in the ‘very poor’ category.
This has contributed to hazardous air conditions across the city, leaving the capital under a thick blanket of smog.
