As the season of stubble burning sets in along with winters in the North, the Centre along with its several agencies and the five key agriculture States stepped up efforts to prevent any large-scale burning and avoid dangerous air quality. The central government on Thursday held a key meeting with Delhi and its neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on the action plan to mitigate air pollution caused by stubble burning.
Discussions were held over implementation of action plans by states to mitigate pollution due to agriculture stubble burning, dust, construction and demolition waste, biomass burning and vehicular pollution, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said, briefing the media about the meeting.
The minister said coordination and synergy reflected in the action plan by each state under the overall framework prepared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
“Outcome of the action plan will significantly depend on the efficacy of the enforcement and implementation by the states,” Yadav said. Tweeting about the meeting later, the minister said, “Chaired a meeting with Haryana CM Shri @mlkhattar ji and Environment Ministers and
senior officials from neighbouring states on the preparedness and taking ahead the multi-pronged action plan on air quality. Addressed issues requiring inter-state & inter-ministerial coordination.”
“It was heartening to note that the spirit with which the Commission for Air Quality Management was conceived is reflected in the action plan of states. The outcome of the action plan will significantly depend on the efficacy of the enforcement and implementation by states,” he said.