Violators of crop residue burning to be penalized: Narendra Singh Tomar

NEW DELHI: Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that there is complete ban on agricultural residue burning in any part of the NCT of Delhi and states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as per the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT).

“Anyone found violating directions of National Green Tribunal is liable to pay environmental compensation. It is collected by the concerned state governments,” he stated in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He said that paddy stubble burning is mainly practiced in Indo-gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for Rabi Crop sowing.


“However, as per information from other states, the severities of uncontrolled crop residue burning incidences are not significant,” he said.

He informed that a Rs 1151.80 crore Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi was launched in 2018.

“During 2018-19, funds amounting to Rs 269.38 crores, Rs 137.84 crores and Rs 148.60 crores have been released to the Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively for distribution of in-situ crop residue management machinery to the farmers on subsidy, establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) of in-situ crop residue management machinery and undertaking Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for creating awareness among farmers,” he said.

He informed that around Rs 248.00 crores, Rs 175.00 crores and Rs 97.54 crores have been released so far to the Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, respectively during 2019-20.