Thu Nov 07 07:44:56 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Doubles Stubble Burning Fine Amid Worsening Air Quality

**New Delhi:** The Indian government has doubled the fine for stubble burning in Delhi and surrounding areas, aiming to curb the worsening air quality in the region. The move comes after the Supreme Court criticized the government’s inaction on the issue, calling the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 “toothless”.

The new fines, effective immediately, will see farmers with land under two acres paying Rs 5,000, while those with land between two and five acres will face a Rs 10,000 penalty. Farmers with more than five acres of land will be charged Rs 30,000 for stubble burning.

The air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be alarmingly poor, with multiple areas approaching ‘severe’ levels. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on Thursday was recorded at 362, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Experts attribute the worsening air quality to factors like unfavorable meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, firecrackers and, most significantly, stubble burning.

The Supreme Court, during a recent hearing, dismissed the Punjab and Haryana governments’ efforts to tackle farm fires as “mere eyewash”. The court emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to curb pollution, particularly from agricultural waste burning, which contributes significantly to Delhi’s toxic air.

The government’s decision to increase fines is seen as a step towards tackling the alarming air pollution issue in Delhi-NCR, which has become a yearly occurrence during the winter months.

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