Panchkula air quality drops to ‘very poor’ category; admn steps in

With the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Panchkula dropping to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ levels, the district administration has started registering FIRs against farmers for stubble burning. The AQI, which largely remained between ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ levels a month ago (mid-October), has remained in the ‘poor’ category (between 200 and 300) in the past one week and shifted to ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday. A prolonged exposure outside can lead to respiratory illness.

Deputy Commissioner Monica Gupta said the administration had recorded five incidents of stubble burning in the district. “Five farmers have been booked. The department has also collected Rs 12,500 fine from them,” she added.

She pointed out that the administration had issued show-cause notices to 16 officers and employees in connection with stubble burning on the basis of areas where the incidents took place. “Now, they will be called for personal hearing. Further action will be taken against those who fail to provide a proper explanation,” she said.

The DC said the farmers should not set fire to crop residue and the state government was already providing compensation for crop residue management at the rate of Rs 1,000 per acre.

AQI stands at 310

The region’s AQI remained largely within the good and satisfactory categories (between 0 and 100 points) on the AQI meter till September end. It moved towards the moderate level by mid-October and ever since it has only worsened. For the past one week, Panchkula’s AQI recorded at the Sector 6 office of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board has remained in the poor category. On Thursday, the region’s AQI was recorded at 310 in the ‘very poor’ category.