CAQM ISSUES STATUTORY DIRECTION MANDATING ALL BRICK KILNS LOCATED IN THE DISTRICTS BEYOND NCR AREA OF HARYANA AND THE STATE OF PUNJAB FOR CO-FIRING OF PADDY STRAW BASED PELLETS / BRIQUETTES

India, June 3 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:

In a vital step to combat the issue of open paddy stubble burning severely contributing to deterioration of air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) via Statutory Direction No. 92, has directed State Governments of Haryana and Punjab to mandate the use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets/ briquettes in all brick kilns located in the districts beyond NCR, as one of the means towards elimination of the practice of open paddy stubble burning. The Commission envisions complete elimination of open burning of crop residue, promoting clean, sustainable fuel alternatives in the industrial...