The Centre has directed states to intensify efforts to prevent stubble burning during the ongoing paddy harvesting season, calling for urgent district-level action, better utilisation of crop residue management machinery and stronger monitoring of vulnerable areas. The directions came at an inter-ministerial meeting in New Delhi co-chaired by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
With a narrow window between paddy harvesting and rabi sowing, the ministers stressed that administrative measures must translate into immediate action on the ground. District collectors have been asked to convene meetings, strengthen surveillance and ensure farmers have access to affordable alternatives to burning crop residue.
Reviewing data for September 15 to October 12, Chouhan said stubble-burning incidents had declined by 53.3 per cent in Haryana and around 32 per cent in Uttar Pradesh compared with the corresponding period last year. Punjab also recorded a reduction. However, the increase in incidents in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan prompted directions to identify affected districts and villages and implement special action plans.
The Agriculture Minister said crop residue should be treated as a resource rather than waste. It can be incorporated into the soil as organic manure or used for animal fodder, bio-CNG, bioethanol and electricity generation. He also called for exploring carbon-credit opportunities linked to sustainable agricultural practices.
Machinery and funds underutilised
The Centre has provided states with more than 3.54 lakh crop residue management machines, including 26,109 new machines in 2026–27. Chouhan directed officials to repair non-functional older equipment, ensure maximum utilisation of available machinery and strengthen Custom Hiring Centres so that small and marginal farmers can access equipment at subsidised rates.
Between 2018–19 and 2025–26, the Centre released Rs 4,266.47 crore under the Crop Residue Management scheme. Punjab received Rs 2,056.50 crore, Haryana Rs 1,171.71 crore, Uttar Pradesh Rs 868.67 crore and Madhya Pradesh Rs 59 crore.
For 2026–27, Rs 592.57 crore has been allocated, of which Rs 430.87 crore has been released. Chouhan expressed concern over slow fund utilisation and urged Punjab to submit pending utilisation certificates promptly to facilitate the next instalment.
He also called for linking farmers directly with thermal power plants using stubble pellets, compressed biogas facilities and second-generation bioethanol plants. In drought-affected areas, residue should be collected and stored for use as animal fodder. Wider adoption of shorter-duration paddy varieties, including Pusa 2090 and PR126, was also encouraged to create more time for field preparation before rabi sowing.
Ground surveillance to be intensified
Yadav called for enhanced monitoring in vulnerable districts of Punjab and Haryana and better coordination of data from the Commission for Air Quality Management and the Central Pollution Control Board. He stressed that satellite observations must be supplemented by field inspections and enforcement.
District administrations have been directed to maintain strict surveillance through ground patrols and flying squads, particularly after 3 pm, when the satellite-monitoring gap could allow fires to go undetected. Authorities have also been asked to assess harvesting patterns, weather conditions and pollution risks in the National Capital Region to enable timely preventive action.
The ministers emphasised coordinated action by central and state governments, district administrations and agricultural institutions to curb crop residue burning while protecting soil health and farmers’ livelihoods.