To harness paddy straw for sustainable energy and eliminate crop residue burning by 2027, the Haryana Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday announced the "Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy 2023".

While interacting with the media persons after the cabinet meeting, Khattar said that this policy marks a significant stride in promoting efficient paddy straw utilization while discouraging harmful residue burning. Aligned with the government's commitment to harness energy from paddy straw and reduce its environmental impact, this comprehensive policy establishes an end-to-end ecosystem for paddy straw use.

He highlighted Haryana's surplus of approximately 30 lakh tons of paddy straw annually, with the potential to generate electricity, biogas, bio-CNG, bio-manure, biofuels, and ethanol. Ensuring a consistent and affordable paddy straw supply is essential for project sustainability.

The policy provides a framework for attracting private investment in paddy straw-based projects, encouraging farmers to engage in responsible practices, and establishing a robust linkage between farmers and industries, he added.

The policy also offers a variety of incentives to promote the utilization of paddy straw in various applications. 

Farmers and relevant organizations are eligible for subsidies on agriculture implements and machinery used for the cutting, collection, baling, storage, and transportation of paddy straw to straw-based industries and plants.

Industries using paddy straw as a feed material will receive interest subsidies on term loans, akin to subsidies available for renewable energy projects. An online linkage between farmers, industries, gaushalas, dairies, and end-users will be established, enabling efficient management of paddy crop residue demand and supply. District-wise mapping of paddy straw demand will be coordinated with the New and Renewable Energy Department, Haryana.

The Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises will provide financial incentives to MSMEs for adopting biofuels, benefitting businesses like brick kilns, paper industries, cardboards, and others using paddy straw.

Paddy straw-based projects may qualify for incentives under the Central Sector Scheme, part of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, subject to eligibility.

All thermal power plants within the State will ensure biomass co-firing in compliance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, and the Government of Haryana.

The biomass used for pellets in thermal power plants within Haryana will be sourced from local farmers through the online mechanism established by the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department.

The Chief Minister said that the policy will be implemented by the New and Renewable Energy Department, Haryana in collaboration with other relevant departments such as Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Industries and Commerce, Environment, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Social Media to be given govt advertisement 

The Cabinet approved the Haryana Digital Media Advertisement Policy, 2023. A Government spokesperson said that the policy will also accommodate Social media news channels and social media influencers for the purpose of highlighting the government's developmental policies and programmes. The existing policy of 2007 and 2020 was restricted only to print media, electronic media, and websites.

The decision to include the Social media news channel and social media influencers has been taken keeping in view the popularity of social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube etc. With the widespread adoption of internet-enabled devices and social media platforms, digital media has become a ubiquitous presence in people’s daily lives. The primary objective of the release of advertisements to Social Media News Channels, websites and reputed social media platforms is to achieve the widest possible coverage of government’s welfare policies and schemes in a cost-effective manner.

Under the policy, five categories for empanelment of social media news channels have been framed keeping in view subscribers, followers and number of posts on the social media account. DIPR Haryana will empanel the Social Media News Channels according to these categories.

New policy to regularize and permit conversion of residential plots to commercial use in planned schemes

To permit the conversion of residential plots into commercial use within planned schemes that have been in existence for at least 50 years, the Cabinet announced the "Haryana Municipal Urban Built-Plan Reform Policy, 2023". It addresses the evolving needs and demands within the urban development landscape. The Chief Minister said that over the years, various planned schemes, including Model Town Schemes, Rehabilitation Schemes, Town Planning Schemes, and Improvement Trust Schemes, have been implemented in municipal areas to facilitate systematic urban development. These schemes were subsequently handed over to the respective municipalities for management and maintenance. However, changing circumstances have prompted plot owners to convert residential plots for non-residential purposes, which were not originally permitted. In response, there arose a need to regulate such conversions by establishing norms and procedures.

Pension of media persons increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000

The cabinet accorded approval to a proposal to increase the monthly pension amount being given to media persons from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.15, 000. Khattar said that the State Government is committed to the welfare of media persons who form the fourth pillar of the state. In line with this commitment, the government has amended the existing Pension Scheme for accredited media persons above the age of 60 years. The amendment entails a substantial increase in the pension amount to provide better financial security to the Journalists. Media persons above the age of 60 years with at least 20 years of experience in the field of journalism in the state of Haryana are entitled to a monthly pension under this scheme. The media person should have been accredited with the Information, Public Relations Languages and Culture Department, Haryana for at least five years.