Burning crop-residue not the only factor behind smog: Khattar

Haryana Government today decided to implement a multi-pronged strategy to improve air quality in the districts facing smog-like conditions, even as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar claimed the severe air pollution in Delhi cannot be "entirely" blamed on stubble burning.
In an "emergency meeting" presided by the Chief Minister here today, it was decided that stone crushers in affected areas will remain closed and manufacturing at brick-kilns will be suspended for five days, till November 12.
Also, to prevent accidents on the National Highway due to low visibility caused by smog, traffic police will be on high alert during night hours.

Deputy Commissioners in smog-affected districts can declare holidays in schools, depending on air pollution situation in their respective areas, an official spokesperson said.
After the meeting, Khattar said the smog over Delhi and some parts in the National Capital Region is fallout of various factors, including construction activities and vehicular emissions.
"It is not at all right to say the entire problem of smog has been caused because of crop-residue burning by farmers. Reports suggest it is due to construction activities, vehicular emissions and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali," he claimed.

"We are witnessing a combined effect of all these things," Khattra said, adding the impact of this pollution has been felt more on Delhi and NCR areas.

"Moreover, the winds too have been calm. Generally there are some light rains around Diwali but it has not happened this time," Khattar said.
Asserting that the Haryana government had taken several steps to stop the practice of stubble burning, the Chief Minister said, "Action has been taken against 1,424 erring farmers and Rs 13.50 lakh have been collected. We have also appealed to farmers to shun the practice."
He appealed undertaking of collective measures by the people of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi to control the severe air pollution.
Meanwhile, on the AAP government in Delhi attributing crop-residue burning as the major reason for the smog in the national capital, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij alleged, "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has a habit of putting blame on others for his own shortcomings and failures."

He should search for the reason behind air pollution in Delhi itself, he said.
In a threadbare discussion with senior officers on air pollution and measures to control it, Khattar directed them to ensure the National Green Tribunal's guidelines are being followed by those undertaking construction activities.
He also directed the health department to issue an advisory on measures to combat smoke and pollution.
Government hospitals are on stand-by-mode to meet any eventuality and provide immediate medical care to accident victims, he said.
Khattar directed the officials to constitute a high-level committee to explore possibilities of setting up plants to convert agriculture and urban waste into energy and submit a report within a month.

Efforts are being made to "permanently" resolve the problem of air pollution due to agricultural residue burning, he assured.
Farmers are being encouraged to use 'Happy Seeder', a technique in which wheat is sown without burning the crop's residue, he informed.
"A 50 per cent subsidy is given on purchase of Happy Seeder. Budget for the subsidy has been increased from Rs 21 crore to Rs 31 crore in this fiscal to cover maximum farmers," Khattar said, adding, "Each block will have a straw-baler in the next fiscal to deal with crop-residue burning."
Haryana and Punjab governments have imposed a ban on crop-residue burning and erring farmers can also be prosecuted by authorities.

The Haryana government has directed district-level committees, constituted for to check the practice, to monitor incidents through satellite images and submit a daily report to the headquarters.
Besides, the committees have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and register cases against violators at special environment courts backed by photographic and videographic evidence.
Meanwhile, on Khattar's directions the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has asked all its Regional Officers (ROs) to ensure compliance and submit daily reports till November 12.
"All stone crushing units in NCR districts will not be allowed to operate for a five-day period, up to November 12. The same has been directed for brick-kilns not in operation for the time being. No new brick-kiln will be allowed to start operations during this period," a HSPCB spokesperson said.

The ROs will conduct special drives to ensure directions issued by the Central Pollution Control Board and the NGT are being followed at construction projects in NCR districts, he said, adding similar drives will be conducted by the Haryana Urban Development Authority and municipal corporations.
The ROs will ensure that 17 types of industries, highly polluting in nature, comply with emission standards issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.