Punjab Stubble Fires: CAQM Pushes Industrial Fuel Use and Faster Machinery Access for Farmers
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed the administrations of Amritsar and Tarn Taran to intensify measures to prevent paddy stubble burning, improve farmers’ access to residue-management machinery and increase the use of crop residue as fuel in industries.
A team led by CAQM chairperson Rajesh Verma reviewed stubble-management measures with deputy commissioners and other officials on Saturday, assessing available infrastructure, in-situ and ex-situ methods, and district-level responses to rising farm-fire incidents.
Punjab recorded 542 farm-fire incidents between September 15 and October 23, according to official data. Tarn Taran accounted for 257 incidents, while Amritsar reported 142. The commission expressed concern over the increase and instructed Tarn Taran officials to prioritise prevention efforts.
The CAQM stressed that paddy stubble should be used wherever feasible in thermal power plants, brick kilns and industries. It directed authorities to appoint sector-specific nodal officers to ensure actual utilisation of residue by industrial users, monitor compliance and submit regular reports.
During the visit, the team inspected an industrial boiler in Amritsar that uses paddy-stubble pellets as fuel. The inspection focused on the use of processed agricultural residue and the scope for expanding such applications.
The commission also instructed district officials to conduct regular village visits and inform farmers about available stubble-management facilities. Authorities were asked to ensure that the required machinery reaches farmers on time and to improve coordination among farmers, Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), machinery providers and other stakeholders.
In-situ methods manage crop residue within fields, while ex-situ methods involve collecting and transporting it for processing or other uses. The commission called for effective implementation of both approaches to reduce burning incidents.