The central government has doubled the penalties for stubble burning. According to the new stringent measures, farmers with less than two acres of land will face a fine of ₹5,000, those with 2 to 5 acres will be fined ₹10,000, and farmers with more than five acres will incur a ₹30,000 penalty for burning stubble. It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court, recently, had reprimanded state governments for lenient fines related to stubble burning, which led to the Center increasing the penalties.
The central government has taken a tough stance on stubble burning by substantially raising the fines. Under the new regulations, farmers owning less than two acres will now be fined ₹5,000 for stubble burning. Meanwhile, those with 2 to 5 acres will incur a ₹10,000 penalty, and for farmers owning more than five acres, a ₹30,000 fine is levied.
These rules have been revised under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. Using the authority under Section 25, sub-section (2), clause (h) of the said Act, the central government has amended these rules and enacted them as the "Commission for Air Quality Management (Imposition, Collection, and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024." This focuses on managing air quality in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas by addressing stubble burning issues.
