In a significant review meeting held on August 10, the Haryana government presented its “Action Taken Report” (ATR) to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), outlining its preparedness and achievements in combating air pollution ahead of the paddy harvesting season.
๐ The Report: Claims of Success The state government, in its submission, claimed a robust decline in stubble burning incidents, attributing the success to aggressive administrative measures and farmer support schemes.
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Machinery Drive: The report highlighted the massive distribution of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines. Officials stated that thousands of subsidized machinesโincluding Super Seeders and Balersโhave been provided to individual farmers and Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) to facilitate in-situ management of crop residue.
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Strategic Shift: The government emphasized its shift from punitive measures to “incentive-based” solutions, claiming that awareness campaigns and financial aid have encouraged farmers to adopt eco-friendly disposal methods.
๐ญ CAQM Review The Commission reviewed the state’s action plan for the upcoming winter season, focusing on the utilization of the distributed machinery.
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Directives: While noting the progress, the CAQM reportedly directed the state administration to ensure that the machinery does not remain idle and reaches small and marginal farmers during the peak harvest window (September-October).
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Monitoring: The Commission also reviewed the protocols for satellite monitoring of active fire locations (AFLs) to ensure real-time reporting and action.
The report comes as a crucial step in the annual battle against the “toxic haze” that engulfs the National Capital Region (NCR) every winter.
