The Centre has asked Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi-NCR to work in mission mode to prevent stubble burning ahead of the peak crop residue burning season. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reviewed preparations with state agriculture ministers and officials.

The Centre directed the states to hold immediate meetings with district magistrates, strengthen field monitoring and provide practical alternatives to farmers. Farmers generally have only 20 to 25 days between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, making burning a quick and inexpensive method of clearing fields despite its impact on soil health and air quality.

Burning incidents declined between September 15 and October 12 by 53.3 per cent in Haryana and about 32 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, while Punjab also recorded a reduction. However, Madhya Pradesh saw cases rise from 55 to 277, an increase of 452 per cent, while Rajasthan recorded a rise from 20 to 60, up 200 per cent. Both states were asked to identify affected districts and villages and implement immediate action plans.

The Centre has supplied more than 354,000 crop residue management machines, including 26,109 during the current financial year. A survey found that 40 per cent of older machines in Punjab and 48 per cent in Haryana were idle or non-functional. States were instructed to repair the equipment, activate custom hiring centres and ensure affordable access for small and marginal farmers.

The Centre released Rs. 42.66 bn under the Crop Residue Management scheme between FY19 and FY26, including Rs. 20.57 bn to Punjab, Rs. 11.72 bn to Haryana, Rs. 8.69 bn to Uttar Pradesh and Rs. 590 mn to Madhya Pradesh. For FY27, Rs. 5.93 bn has been allocated, with Rs. 4.31 bn released. Officials also called for supply chains linking farmers with power, compressed biogas and bio-ethanol plants, while urging ground patrols and flying squads, particularly after 3 pm when satellite coverage is unavailable.