New Delhi, The National Green Tribunal has directed the Punjab government to disclose in its comprehensive report how it will achieve its projected target of reducing incidents of stubble burning in the current year.
The NGT was hearing a case related to stubble burning in Punjab, which was increasing the problem of air pollution during winter season in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas.
In January this year, the tribunal directed Punjab to file a "revised fresh action plan" to deal with the "serious issue".
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava said an action taken report was filed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board on March 19 which included details of utilization of paddy straw in 2023 along with the target for the current year.
The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Aggarwal and former member A Senthil Vel, said the report revealed a target by 2024 for implementation of the crop residue management plan, including ex-situ and in-situ disposal of paddy straw. -Insitu management involves the strategy of both.
The bench, taking note of the report, said that pre-condition management includes industrial boiler biomass power plants, compressed bio-gas plants, brick kilns, bio-ethanol and thermal plants and using paddy straw for fodder.The tribunal, in an order dated April 3, said, "It is stated that the Punjab State Government is further strengthening the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to bring about behavioral change in the farming community so that the incidents of stubble burning are completely eliminated." can be eliminated." ,
However, it said that when some questions were asked to the state government counsel, he sought adjournment and sought time to file a detailed comprehensive report regarding the in-situ and ex-situ management of stubble. Details included.
Accepting the request, the tribunal said, "The said report shall also include details relating to methods and methods of removal of stubble from the field, transportation to various units for pre-location management, capacity of stubble units i.e. industrial." Boiler etc"
The NGT also directed the state government to "disclose how the projected figures for 2024 will be achieved, what preparations have been made so far and what preparations are being made in the coming months to achieve the target".
The tribunal directed the state government to file its report a week before the next date of hearing on July 12.
The NGT was hearing a case related to stubble burning in Punjab, which was increasing the problem of air pollution during winter season in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas.
In January this year, the tribunal directed Punjab to file a "revised fresh action plan" to deal with the "serious issue".
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava said an action taken report was filed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board on March 19 which included details of utilization of paddy straw in 2023 along with the target for the current year.
The bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Aggarwal and former member A Senthil Vel, said the report revealed a target by 2024 for implementation of the crop residue management plan, including ex-situ and in-situ disposal of paddy straw. -Insitu management involves the strategy of both.
The bench, taking note of the report, said that pre-condition management includes industrial boiler biomass power plants, compressed bio-gas plants, brick kilns, bio-ethanol and thermal plants and using paddy straw for fodder.The tribunal, in an order dated April 3, said, "It is stated that the Punjab State Government is further strengthening the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to bring about behavioral change in the farming community so that the incidents of stubble burning are completely eliminated." can be eliminated." ,
However, it said that when some questions were asked to the state government counsel, he sought adjournment and sought time to file a detailed comprehensive report regarding the in-situ and ex-situ management of stubble. Details included.
Accepting the request, the tribunal said, "The said report shall also include details relating to methods and methods of removal of stubble from the field, transportation to various units for pre-location management, capacity of stubble units i.e. industrial." Boiler etc"
The NGT also directed the state government to "disclose how the projected figures for 2024 will be achieved, what preparations have been made so far and what preparations are being made in the coming months to achieve the target".
The tribunal directed the state government to file its report a week before the next date of hearing on July 12.
