Haryana Chief Secretary Chairs High-Level Review Meeting, Sets Strict Timeline to Curb Paddy Stubble Burning
Multi-Departmental Parali Protection Force Constituted to Monitor Fields and Prevent Stubble Burning
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Haryana Government has intensified its drive against paddy stubble burning ahead of the peak harvest season, with Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi chairing a comprehensive review meeting on the implementation of the State Action Plan for Crop Residue Management (CRM) here today.
The Chief Secretary directed all departments to ensure 100% compliance with the action plan and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards farm fires. He underscored that protecting air quality is not only vital for Haryana but also for the health of the entire National Capital Region (NCR).
The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department informed that three cases of stubble burning have been reported this season from Fatehabad, Jind, and Kurukshetra. FIRs have been registered in all incidents, and red entries have been marked in the land records of the concerned farmers. Additionally, Environmental Compensation (EC) charges have been imposed. The department has cautioned that strict punitive measures will follow in the event of any future violations. Sh. Rastogi reiterated the government’s commitment to strict enforcement to deter farm fires effectively.
Farmer Participation at Record High
Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Pankaj Agarwal informed that 5.65 lakh farmers have registered for crop residue management, covering a massive 39.33 lakh acres of paddy area. The top five districts by registered acreage are Karnal (4.69 lakh acres), Kaithal (4.34 lakh acres), Sirsa (3.70 lakh acres), Fatehabad (3.61 lakh acres), and Jind (3.56 lakh acres).
The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure the mapping of each farm in all villages so that specific modes of stubble management—whether crop diversification, in-situ incorporation, ex-situ use as fodder, or supply to industries—are properly assigned and implemented.
Machines and Incentives for Farmers
Reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, Rastogi said Haryana is not only subsidizing the purchase of CRM machines but also making them available through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) for small and marginal farmers. He stressed that district authorities must ensure optimal utilization of machines, monitor availability at CHCs, and extend maximum support during peak harvesting periods.This year alone, incentives worth ₹471.96 crore have been sanctioned, providing farmers with ₹1,200 per acre to adopt sustainable residue management practices.
Technology-Driven Monitoring
The meeting reviewed the functioning of the Agriculture Department Portal and the MFMB system, which are playing a key role in registration, booking of machines, disbursal of incentives, and real-time data reporting.
To ensure better outreach, Nodal Officers have been assigned groups of farmers, with each officer responsible for a maximum of 50 farmers in Red and Yellow zones and 100 farmers in Green zone areas. This structure allows for closer monitoring, timely advisories, and effective handholding. A dedicated Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) has also been set up to track district-level progress and resolve farmer issues on priority.
Enforcement Through ‘Parali Protection Force’
Director, Agriculture, Rajnarayan Kaushik said a multi-departmental “Parali Protection Force” has been constituted across several districts. This task force comprises police personnel, agriculture officials, and administrative officers who will monitor fields and prevent stubble burning.
Special focus has been placed on intensified evening patrolling, as some farmers attempt to burn stubble late in the night to evade satellite detection. Control rooms at both the state and district levels have also been set up to receive and address complaints, including those made via social media.
Ex-Situ Utilization and Industrial Linkages
The Chief Secretary highlighted the importance of building a robust ex-situ supply chain by linking farmers with industries such as biomass plants, briquetting units, and the Haryana Power Generation Corporation. Online platforms are being used to directly connect farmers with industrial buyers to ensure smooth transactions.
To strengthen infrastructure, the state has identified 249 acres of Panchayat land across key districts for storage of paddy straw bales. These depots will prevent losses due to fire hazards and ensure uninterrupted supply for industrial use.