Stubble burning: Centre reviews CRM; Haryana cases fall 53.3%
Why in the news
On 13 October 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav held a joint review at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to push crop residue management in mission mode during the paddy harvest.
Key facts
- Stubble-burning trend (15 Sept to 12 Oct 2026 vs same period last year): Haryana down 53.3%, Uttar Pradesh down about 32%, Punjab lower; Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan recorded increases.
- CRM machines: over 3.54 lakh supplied to states so far; 26,109 new machines in FY 2026-27.
- Custom Hiring Centres to be activated so small and marginal farmers can rent machines at subsidised rates; old non-working machines to be repaired.
- Short-duration paddy: states asked to promote Pusa 2090 and PR126 instead of the longer Pusa-44.
- Ex-situ use: farmers to be linked to supply chains for stubble pellets in thermal power plants, compressed biogas plants and 2G bio-ethanol plants.
- Monitoring: data to be shared with CAQM and CPCB; ground patrols and flying squads to cover the post-3 PM gap when no satellite pass is available.
Funds under the CRM scheme
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total released, 2018-19 to 2025-26 | ₹4,266.47 crore |
| Punjab | ₹2,056.50 crore |
| Haryana | ₹1,171.71 crore |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹868.67 crore |
| Madhya Pradesh | ₹59 crore |
| FY 2026-27 allocation | ₹592.57 crore |
| FY 2026-27 released so far | ₹430.87 crore |
About the review
Agriculture ministers of Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh took part. Punjab was asked to file its Utilisation Certificate so the next instalment can be released. Districts flagged for close watch include Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Patiala and Gurdaspur in Punjab, and Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Fatehabad in Haryana. Krishi Vigyan Kendras and district administrations will help on the ground, and carbon-credit options for farmers will be explored.
Exam angle
- Haryana showed the sharpest fall (53.3%) in stubble burning this season.
- Punjab has received the largest CRM share: ₹2,056.50 crore.
- Pusa 2090 and PR126 are the short-duration paddy varieties being promoted.