CHANDIGARH, May 15— To curb stubble burning and its devastating impact on air quality across northern India, the Punjab government has announced a targeted subsidy scheme aimed at encouraging industries to use crop residue as fuel.
The state will offer a subsidy of Rs 50 lakh for industries installing 4-tonne boilers and Rs 1 crore for those installing 8-tonne boilers that can run on stubble. Existing industries that upgrade with new boilers will also be eligible for a subsidy of Rs 1 crore. Officials said the scheme could benefit around 500 to 600 industries across Punjab.
“This is a decisive step not just towards reducing pollution but also empowering our farmers economically,” a senior government spokesperson said.
“By turning stubble into a resource rather than waste, we are addressing the root cause of seasonal air quality crises.”
Stubble burning in Punjab, especially after the paddy harvest, has long been a key contributor to hazardous air pollution levels in Delhi and across North India during winter months.
Despite repeated crackdowns and awareness campaigns, thousands of farmers have allegedly resorted to burning paddy straw to quickly clear fields for the next crop.
Environmental experts have warned that these fires release large quantities of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), causing widespread health issues and smog conditions. “Any policy that provides viable alternatives to stubble burning is welcome,” said Dr. Ranjan Verma, an air quality researcher based in Delhi.
“If implemented seriously, this can reduce the burden on cities struggling with toxic air every year.”
The Punjab government said the new scheme would also promote green industrial practices and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“Our goal is to create a circular economy around agricultural waste,” the spokesperson added.
The success of the plan, however, will depend on timely implementation, awareness among stakeholders, and monitoring to ensure genuine use of subsidized equipment.
Stubble-based boilers: These are specially designed to burn agricultural waste (like leftover paddy straw) instead of polluting fossil fuels. This helps reduce environmental impact and provides farmers with a market for their crop residue.
