Centre Hikes Fines For Stubble Burning: Farmers Face Penalties Up To ₹30,000 To Combat Delhi’s Severe Air Pollution

New Delhi: In a significant move to combat worsening air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas, the Central Government has raised fines for stubble burning, with penalties now reaching as high as ₹30,000. The revised fines are effective immediately as part of the government’s strategy to address severe air pollution.

Under the new rules, farmers with smaller holdings will face lower fines: ₹5,000 for those with less than two acres, ₹10,000 for those with two to five acres, and ₹30,000 for farmers with holdings exceeding five acres.

This amendment, under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act of 2021, strengthens the government’s measures to reduce pollution.

The updated regulation, titled the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection, and Utilisation of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024, was announced in an official notice.

Complaints about stubble burning pollution will now be managed by pollution control boards and the CAQM, with specific guidelines established for grievance redressal and enquiry procedures.

This increase in fines follows a directive from the Supreme Court, which previously criticized the “toothless” nature of earlier penalties due to regulatory delays.

The Court also recently expressed disappointment with Delhi’s enforcement of a firecracker ban, instructing authorities to strengthen oversight and compliance measures.

Delhi’s air quality has once again plunged to hazardous levels, with regions like Anand Vihar, Bawana, Mundka, and Wazirpur recorded in the ‘severe’ category.

This pollution crisis, worsened by stubble burning and other factors, has led to a dense smog engulfing the city, significantly affecting public health and visibility.

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