CAQM Empowers Deputy Commissioners to Take Penal Action Against Officials for Lapses in Paddy Stubble Burning Enforcement

As the stubble burning season approaches, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining states has strengthened its enforcement framework against paddy stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in the region.CAQM has now officially empowered Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to initiate penal action against officials found responsible for inaction or failure in effectively monitoring and enforcing measures aimed at eliminating paddy stubble burning. This crackdown includes officials at multiple levels such as nodal officers, supervisory officers, and Station House Officers (SHOs), holding them accountable for lapses within their jurisdictions.This new directive

supersedes the earlier CAQM Direction issued in October 2024, which granted DCs/DMs the authority to file complaints and prosecute officials before judicial magistrates for failure in enforcement. The fresh direction specifically mandates strict legal actions against all responsible officials who neglect their duties toward preventing and controlling paddy stubble burning.The Commission’s move comes amid persistent reports of stubble burning from Punjab, Haryana, and NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, despite targeted elimination plans and earlier enforcement efforts. Stubble burning severely impacts air quality and contributes to smog and health hazards during the harvest season.CAQM has issued these renewed directions to the respective authorities in Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and other nearby regions as part of a comprehensive action plan to eliminate stubble burning through effective monitoring, enforcement, and penal provisions. The Commission reiterates its firm commitment to a smoke-free environment and improved air quality, expecting district administrations and state governments to maintain continuous strict vigilance.The empowered district officials now have enhanced legal backing to hold officials accountable and ensure strict compliance, underscoring CAQM’s determination to make the elimination of paddy stubble burning non-negotiable in 2025 and beyond.