Stubble-burning solution to cost Rs 11,477 crore: Aayog

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 28

NITI Aayog has projected that a permanent solution to stubble burning in northern Indian states would cost around Rs 11,477 crore.

Stubble burning causes excessive smog and air pollution in the national capital region between October and December. 

As it was asked by the government to prepare a blueprint for dealing with this practice in Punjab, Haryana and western parts of Uttar Pradesh, NITI Aayog had constituted a task force, headed by additional secretary AK Mehta in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

In its draft report, the task force said, “A two-pronged strategy is required to ensure that crop residue is not burnt in the field. Firstly, in-situ utilisation or soil incorporation of crop residue (that remains standing in the field after combine harvesting) needs to be prioritised and popularised among farmers. 

“Secondly, enhancing the value of paddy straw as a raw material for energy extraction or similar products is another aspect of the solution.”

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As an immediate measure, the government could consider providing financial support for implementing some of the techniques. “This could be extended to farmers through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system,” the draft report said, adding that a total of Rs 4,488 crore would be required each year. 

The task force has arrived at the cost by taking into account 1.35 million hectare in Haryana (Rs 655 crore), 2.98 million hectare in Punjab (Rs 1,862 crore) and 5.87 million hectare in Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,971 crore).

Adding to this, the task force has also suggested a reward scheme for village panchayats with zero burning. These villages could be projected as role models. 

“A maximum support of Rs 10 lakh per panchayat is suggested. Considering 70,869 panchayats in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the total outlay for this reward scheme is estimated to be Rs 7,000 crore,” the draft report noted.