Will prepare policies to control stubble burning, curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR: air quality panel

newly-appointed Commission for Air Quality Manment on Monday said it will take required steps to curb air pollution in national capital, including formulation of appropriate policies and strategies to control stubble burning.

Commission for Air Quality Manment in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas said this in a statement after meeting three AAP MLAs, including chairperson of Environment Committee of Delhi Assembly Atishi, who urged commission to hold chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana liable for causing pollution in national capital. 

" National Air Quality Commission informed three AAP MLAs it met that it is seized of matter and will take required steps including formulation of appropriate policies and strategies to control stubble burning, in due consultations with stakeholders concerned, on a priority basis," commission, formed by Union Environment Ministry, said.

Earlier in day, Atishi had said she and her colleagues have asked panel to direct Haryana and Punjab governments to implement as soon as possible solution by Pusa institute and Delhi government in dealing with stubble burning.  "Earlier it used to be said that re is solution to issue of stubble burning but w a solution has come so it should be implemented," she said.

According to scientists at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, "Pusa bio-decomposer" solution can turn crop residue into manure in 15 to 20 days and refore, can prevent stubble burning.

Atishi said she told commission that just giving direction is t eugh but it is responsibility of Haryana and Punjab to stop stubble burning and if y don't, strict action must be taken against m.  20-member commission, headed by former Chief Secretary of Delhi M M Kutty, was formed by Union Environment Ministry on vember 5, within a week of issuing an ordinance to set it up.