“Deadly Smog Grips Delhi: Government Increases Fines for Stubble Burning”

November 7, 2024: The Indian government has raised fines for stubble burning in an effort to tackle the growing smog and air pollution, particularly in Delhi and surrounding regions. The new penalties, announced in a notification issued on November 7, 2024, aim to reduce the harmful effects of crop residue burning, which contributes significantly to the toxic smog that blankets the region every winter.

Under the revised rules, farmers burning stubble on land less than 2 acres will face a fine of ₹5,000. For land between 2 and 5 acres, the penalty will be ₹10,000, and for land larger than 5 acres, the fine will go up to ₹30,000. These fines are much higher than previous penalties, which ranged from ₹2,500 to ₹15,000 depending on land size.

The new fines are focused on regions like Delhi, where air pollution has reached dangerous levels, especially during the harvest season when stubble burning peaks. The thick smog has caused severe health issues for residents, including respiratory problems and eye irritation.

The government approved these new regulations on November 6, 2024, and they have been implemented immediately. Authorities emphasized that these stricter fines are necessary to address the urgent air pollution crisis and reduce the harmful smog that is affecting millions of people.

With this move, the Indian government is taking a strong stance against stubble burning in an effort to improve air quality and protect public health, especially in heavily polluted cities like Delhi.