Delhi’s Pollution Panel Deploys Flying Squads To Check Stubble Burning After SC Rap

By OB Bureau On Oct 1, 2024

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region has deployed flying squads of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prevent stubble-burning incidents during and after the harvest season.

The squads have been asked to visit hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 30. The team will coordinate with the authorities/officers at the district level, appointed by the respective State governments, CAQM said in a statement.

The move comes days after the Supreme Court said the CAQM “needs to be more active” to check pollution due to stubble burning in areas under its jurisdiction.

“The squads will report to the Commission and CPCB on a daily basis, including steps taken to prevent further incidents of paddy stubble burning in the allocated district,” the statement said. CAQM said it will be setting up a ‘Paddy Stubble Management’ Cell at Mohali to closely coordinate with the Agriculture Department and other related agencies in Punjab and Haryana. A bench of Justices AS Oka and Augustine George Masih said last week, “We are of the view that though the commission has taken certain steps, the commission needs to be more active. The commission must ensure that its efforts and directions issued actually translate into reducing the problem of pollution.”.