Haryana

• 18 Feb 2025

Stubble Burning

Why in News? 

A study published in January 2025, based on field measurements, airmass trajectories, and chemical transport models, found no linear correlation between stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana and PM2.5 concentration in Delhi-NCR. 

 Key Points 

• Limited Impact of Stubble Burning: 
  • Researchers found that crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana contributes only about 14% of PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR, making it an insignificant primary source of pollution. 
  • Despite a 50% decline in stubble-burning incidents from 2015 to 2023, PM2.5 concentration in Delhi-NCR remained fairly constant, indicating other major pollution sources. 
• Scientific Observations on Air Pollution: 
  • Researchers from the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), Kyoto, confirmed that PM2.5 variations in Delhi-NCR do not directly correlate with fire counts in Punjab and Haryana. 
  • Stubble burning largely stops after November, yet Delhi-NCR’s air quality index has remained in the "very poor" to "severe" category every winter since 2016 due to stagnant winds, lower mixing heights, and inversion conditions. 
• Key Findings on Pollution Sources: 
  • In 2023, CO concentration at night was 67% higher than during the day in Delhi-NCR, compared to 48% in 2022, while Punjab and Haryana showed clear day-night variations only during peak stubble-burning periods. 
  • Even during the peak crop residue burning season (October-November), local industrial and anthropogenic sources contribute more to PM2.5 than stubble burning. 
  • During the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III and IV periods, strict controls on transport and construction significantly reduced PM2.5 levels, but once restrictions were lifted, pollution levels surged again. 
• Major Contributors to PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR: 
  • Transport Sector – 30% 
  • Local Biomass Burning – 23% 
  • Construction and Road Dust – 10% 
  • Cooking and Industry – 5-7% 
  • Unaccounted Sources – 10% 
  • Stubble Burning – 13% (only in October-November) 

 The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 

• About: 
  • The GRAP consists of emergency measures designed to prevent the deterioration of air quality after reaching specific thresholds in the Delhi-NCR region. 
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified the GRAP in 2017. 
  • Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) implements the GRAP. 
• Implementation: It is implemented under four stages: 

 

• GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures listed under both sections have to be followed. 

 Particulate Matter (PM) 

• Particulate matter, or PM, refers to a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. These particles come in a wide range of sizes and can be made up of hundreds of different compounds. 
  • PM10 (coarse particles) - Particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. 
  • PM2.5 (fine particles) - Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. 

Pending Cases at Haryana State Information Commission

Why in News? 

According to a Right to Information (RTI) reply, the Haryana State Information Commission is handling a backlog of over 7,000 appeal cases. Authorities have yet to recover Rs 2.84 crore, as the penalty imposed on State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) for delays in providing information. 

 Key Points 

• Pending Appeal Cases: 
  • It was revealed that 8,340 appeal cases were pending before the Chief Information Commissioner and seven State Information Commissioners in January 2024.  
  • By December 2024, the number decreased to 7,216, with only around 1,000 cases resolved in a year. 
• Limited Awareness Campaigns:  
  • According to the RTI reply, only five workshops have been conducted since 2005, with 896 participants, the last of which was held in Panchkula in 2011. 
• Penalty and Recovery Details: 
  • Over the last 20 years, the Commission imposed Rs 5.86 crore in penalties across 3,611 cases for delays in providing information.  
    • However, only Rs 2.84 crore has been recovered so far. 
  • The Commission has awarded Rs 92 lakh in compensation across 1,974 cases for the failure to provide information in a timely manner. 

 The Right to Information (RTI) Act 

• About: 
  • The Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information. 
  • The basic object of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in a real sense. 
• Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019: 
  • It provided that the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government. Before this amendment, their term was fixed for 5 years. 
  • It provided that the salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall be such as prescribed by the Central Government. 
  • It removed the provisions regarding deductions in salary of the Chief Information Commissioner, an Information Commissioner, the State Chief Information Commissioner and a State Information Commissioner due to pension or any other retirement benefits received by them for their previous government service. 
  • The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 was criticized on grounds of diluting the law and giving more powers to the central government. 

RuTAG Smart Village Center

Why in News? 

Recently, the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) Smart Village Center (RSVC) was launched in Mandaura village of Sonipat, Haryana. 

 Key Points 

• About RSVC: 
  • The RuTAG Smart Village Center (RSVC) aims to introduce innovative solutions to solve everyday challenges in rural areas, such as preventing animal intrusion, promoting organic farming, and supporting small businesses like bakery production. 
  • The center will benefit farmers, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs by providing technology solutions directly to their doorsteps. 
• Technological Solutions: 
  • Developed under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, RSVC will introduce technologies like satellite data for farming, water monitoring kits, solar power, Internet of Things applications, and organic fertilizers. 
  • The initiative also includes assistive technologies for differently-abled individuals and financial inclusion apps, ensuring access to modern advancements for everyone. 
  • It will address rural challenges with improved agricultural practices, waste management, renewable energy solutions, and affordable housing innovations. 
  • Farmers will benefit from advanced post-harvest technologies, and the center will provide information on government welfare schemes through citizen-centric apps. 
  • This initiative will also enhance income for local artisans and farmers by improving market access. 
• The center will collaborate with institutions like IIT Madras, and the Assistive Technology Foundation to provide practical solutions and training in various skills, including bakery, bread-making, and financial literacy. 
• Government and Institutional Support: 
  • The initiative aligns with the Rural Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Labour ministries to enhance rural welfare. 
  • There are plans to expand RSVC across India, with 20 more centers in development. 
  • The "Techpreneurs" program will empower women to promote these technologies within their communities, ensuring sustainability and long-term success. 

 Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 

• RuTAG is an initiative of the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) since 2004. 
• It was conceptualized as a mechanism to provide a higher level of science and technology intervention and support for rural areas. 
• Under this initiative, the interventions are designed to be primarily demand-driven, focusing on bridging technology gaps at the grassroots level, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations through innovative projects.