Govt approves funds for in-situ management of crop residue

Following an announcement in this year’s union budget the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved funding for in-situ management of crop residue in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and in Delhi, aimed at curbing air pollution from stubble burning. The Centre will provide a total of Rs 1151.8 crore between 2018-19 and 2019-20, a government release said.

Smoke from stubble burning is one of the major factors that has contributed to plunging air quality in Delhi during the onset of winter.

As part of the government scheme, farmer co-operatives and state agencies will be provided 80 per cent financial assistance to hiring machinery and tools to manage crop stubble. For individual farmers, Centre will provide 50 per cent of the cost for procurement of farm machinery. Besides providing direct subsidies for buying farm machinery, the Centre will also spend on mass awareness campaigns.  Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers Welfare will be the nodal ministry for the scheme’s implementation and a national steering committee, headed by the Secretary of the ministry, who will review the implementation.