Centre to states: Manage crop residue better

The NGT has directed Delhi and the four states to take strict measures to deal with the pollution problem

The Centre on Friday asked Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to help farmers manage crop residue better to stop incidents such as stubble burning, as figures show states such as Punjab haven’t used the funds allocated for the purpose in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

 In 2016-17 and 2017-18, about Rs 98 crore was allocated to Punjab for crop residue management under the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation, but data released on Friday showed that none of it was spent.

The Centre, meanwhile, issued an advisory to the four northern states to create awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of straw burning. It