Chandigarh, October 31- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing a press conference held here today said that Haryana is taking concrete steps for stubble management and improving air quality. 

Divulging the data about the stubble burning incidents reported this year, he said that this year as of now only 1925 incidents have been reported, which shows decline in the incidents. 

He further said that the state has accelerated its campaign further to curb the incidents and he is hopeful that soon the state government will achieve its target of zero stubble burning.  

"If we compare Haryana with our neighbours Punjab, we are not even 10 per cent in terms of stubble burning cases that are being reported there. As per data, 13,873 cases of stubble burning have been reported in Punjab til October 30, 2022," added Sh. Manohar Lal. 

He further said that to control stubble burning, the State Government has implemented a framework which includes In-situ Crop Residue Management, Ex-situ Management, Effective monitoring, enforcement and wide reach of Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities. 

The Chief Minister said that crop residues are being utilized through various machines and decomposers. He said that farmers are being continuously made aware of the ill effects of stubble burning. The Chief Minister said that an incentive amount of Rs. 1000 per acre to farmers for bailing (In-Situ Management) is being given by the State Government. The State Government has formulated a special framework for stubble management to reduce pollution,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.

A 50 per quintal incentive amount and subsidy on straw management equipment are given to the farmers for making stubble bales. Besides this, farmers are being given 50 percent subsidy on equipment for crop residue management and 80 percent subsidy on custom hiring centres, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

He said that the government has created a new portal to buy stubble and supply the same to the industries. Information about the contractors and industries who buy stubble will also be available on this, the farmer who wants to sell his stubble can contact directly through the portal, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

The State Government has formed a committee for the purchase of stubble on MSP. There are about 24 more such industries which have agreed to use the stubble for their energy consumption, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal and other senior officers remained  present.