The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a Statutory Direction regarding the implementation of State Action Plans for the prevention and elimination of wheat stubble burning during the 2026 harvesting season. This Direction has been issued to the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Commission noted that agricultural residue burning contributes to the deterioration of air quality both locally and across the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas. It has also provided a broad framework to the concerned States for controlling or eliminating crop residue burning and has directed them to develop detailed, state-specific action plans.
CAQM has directed the concerned States to implement their respective Action Plans to reduce wheat straw burning, and to submit monthly progress reports to the Commission for continuous monitoring and necessary actions.
