Central Sector Scheme to Tackle Air Pollution And Manage Crop Residues

 The Central Sector Scheme entitled "Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization to manage Crop Residues On-Site in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi" has been implemented in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Highlights:

♦ It was announced in the 2018 budget.

♦ The objectives of the scheme are:

♦ Protect the environment from air pollution, and prevent the loss of nutrients and soil microorganisms due to the burning of crop residues.

♦ Promote the on-site management of crop residues by using appropriate mechanized inputs to retain and blend in the soil.

♦ Through demonstration, capacity building activities and differentiated information, education and communication strategies, build awareness among stakeholders to effectively use and manage crop residues.

♦ The scheme was further extended to 2020-21.

♦ Compared with 2016, the number of residue burning incidents in Punjab, Haryana and UP will be reduced by -30% in 2020. In Punjab, residue combustion decreased by 22.7%, Haryana decreased by 63.8%, and UP decreased by 52.01%.