Centre doubles fine for stubble burning; challans to go up to Rs 30,000

Amid dipping air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Centre on Thursday doubled the penalties for instances of stubble burning.

The government also announced that Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024 will come into effect.

As per the new rules, a farmer having an area of land of less than two acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 against the previous fine of Rs 2,500.


Meanwhile, a farmer having land of two acres or more but less than five acres will now be penalised Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000 and ones who possess more than five acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 30,000 as against Rs 15,000.

Delhi on Thursday woke up to toxic air as the air quality continued to be in the "very poor" category with the Air Quality Index at 9 am at 367.