New Delhi, June 21 -- India's ambitious 2021 policy mandating 5% biomass blending in all central and state power plants has created demand for 1 lakh tons of biomass fuel daily, but current supply reaches merely 5,000-7,000 tons, leaving a critical gap that perpetuates the annual stubble burning crisis plaguing North India, according toMohit Verma, founder of Biomass Energeons India, during an exclusive interview onThe Startup Caffe podcastthis week. The energy sector veteran revealed how policy implementation gaps are undermining both India's Net Zero 2050 commitments and immediate air quality objectives.

"The thick smog around Diwali (October-November) is largely caused by stubble burning,"said Verma, whose company processes more than ...