CAQM Reviews Stubble Burning Prevention in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Deploys Flying Squads in Punjab
Syllabus: Air quality management and crop residue management in India
The news
A high‑level team of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) visited Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on 9‑10 Oct 2026 to review stubble‑burning prevention measures. The team held a review meeting with Deputy Commissioners and district officials, assessing the availability of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines, balers and supply‑chain linkages with industries. Both districts reported operational balers, control rooms, helplines and extensive IEC activities for in‑situ and ex‑situ straw utilisation. CAQM also announced deployment of Flying Squads in 18 Punjab districts from 1 Oct to 30 Nov 2026 to monitor and enforce anti‑burning measures.
Background in one line: Paddy harvest → Stubble accumulation → Risk of burning → CAQM review meeting → Deployment of CRM machines & Flying Squads → Monitoring & enforcement
Static syllabus linkage
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) – statutory body
- Crop Residue Management (CRM) schemes under Ministry of Agriculture
Why it matters for UPSC
Stubble burning contributes significantly to winter haze in the National Capital Region, affecting public health and compliance with air‑quality norms. Understanding the institutional response helps answer questions on environmental governance and inter‑state coordination.
Prelims facts
- Stubble burning is a major source of PM2.5 in the NCR during winter
- CAQM is a statutory body under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Flying Squads are special monitoring teams deployed by CAQM for enforcement
- Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines include balers, shredders and spreaders
Analysis
The CAQM visit underscores the multi‑layered approach—policy, technology and enforcement—required to curb stubble burning. By linking farmers with balers and industrial boilers, the focus shifts from punitive to facilitative measures.
Challenges remain in ensuring timely availability of CRM machines, farmer awareness, and logistics for ex‑situ utilisation. Coordination among district administrations, nodal officers and private aggregators is critical.
The deployment of Flying Squads across 18 districts signals a proactive surveillance model, but sustained impact will depend on continuous monitoring, data‑driven interventions and scaling of low‑cost sensors.
A way forward includes strengthening farmer incentives, expanding the CRM supply chain, integrating satellite‑based fire detection, and institutionalising inter‑state coordination mechanisms under the NCAP framework.
Possible Mains question
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) interventions in curbing paddy stubble burning in Punjab. Suggest measures to enhance sustainable crop‑residue management.
15 marks · 250 words · GS3
Model approach
- Introduce the problem of stubble burning and its impact on air quality
- Outline CAQM’s recent interventions – review meetings, CRM machine deployment, control rooms, helplines, IEC activities, Flying Squads
- Assess strengths (institutional coordination, technology facilitation) and weaknesses (logistics, farmer compliance)
- Propose recommendations – financial incentives, capacity building, robust supply‑chain linkages, use of low‑cost sensors, inter‑state cooperation
For SSC, Banking & State PSC
- Flying Squads are special enforcement teams under CAQM – useful for SSC Mains environment questions
- CRM machines are part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s crop‑residue management scheme – relevant for Banking exams on agri‑loans
Written with AI assistance from the source report and checked against it. Always verify facts with the original source .