Now, officials in Delhi-NCR can be prosecuted for poor paddy stubble enforcement: Air quality monitor

According to the statement, the body, taking cognisance of the scenario, directed the respective district administrations and state governments to “shoulder higher responsibility and maintain constant and strict vigil to control any further paddy stubble burning in the harvesting season”.

The directions, issued on Thursday, empower Deputy Commissioners, District Collectors and District Magistrates to file complaints or prosecute officials before a judicial magistrate, in case of inaction of officials — including nodal officers and supervisory officers — at various levels as well as Station House Officers responsible for effective enforcement towards ensuring elimination of paddy stubble burning.

The CAQM has deputed 26 central teams to hotspot districts in Punjab and Haryana to maintain close liaisons with district-level authorities. The statement said this measure is taken to optimise utilisation of all available resources or means for various in-situ or ex-situ management applications, besides setting up a ‘Paddy Stubble Management Cell’ at Chandigarh, for coordinated and continuous monitoring of field-level actions.