A high‑level team chaired by the CQUM chief visited thermal power plants, CBG plants, the Agricultural Research Centre (KVK), agricultural zones and a biomass plant in Punjab’s Rohtak, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar. The team reviewed preparations and examined the status of various internal and external measures being implemented at the ground level for effective management of rice‑straw during the current harvesting season and for preventing straw‑burning incidents. CQUM directed state officials to achieve the co‑firing targets in thermal power plants and placed special emphasis on ensuring compliance with emission standards. During the KVK visit, the team also observed demonstrations of machines for the direct and external use of straw.
The team also assessed the adequacy and availability of machines to assist farmers in managing rice straw. In addition, it reviewed the arrangements and mechanisms established to ensure maximum utilisation of rice straw in thermal power plants and biomass plants under external management.
With the rice harvest accelerating, the commission urged all relevant authorities to speed up efforts and coordinate to ensure timely and adequate availability of crop residue management (CRM) machines for farmers. It directed that maximum assistance be provided to farmers, emphasizing the need to ensure machine availability and effective use during the peak harvesting period.
The commission instructed state authorities to strengthen these arrangements to minimise rice‑straw burning incidents. It also stressed the need for active field monitoring and timely correction of operational gaps to ensure effective implementation of the rice‑straw management measures.