- Why in news
- On 8 April 2026, CAQM imposed about Rs. 61.85 crore Environmental Compensation on six thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi for not meeting biomass co-firing norms for 2024-25.
- What it is
- The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is the statutory body that regulates air quality in the Delhi region. The Environmental (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 require coal-based plants to burn biomass pellets or briquettes with coal. The aim is to cut paddy straw burning by using the straw outside the field (ex-situ).
- Co-firing norm
- Coal-based thermal plants must use a 5% blend of paddy-straw biomass pellets or briquettes with coal under the 2023 Rules.
- Interim threshold
- For FY 2024-25 a minimum of 3% co-firing was prescribed to avoid Environmental Compensation.
- Review committee
- A committee of CAQM, CEA, SAMARTH and CPCB members reviewed the plants' representations and recommended compensation.
- Statutory Direction
- CAQM issued Statutory Direction No. 42 on 17.09.2021 on co-firing and has monitored compliance since.
- CAQM legal basis
- CAQM was set up under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
Don’t confuse with CAQM vs CPCB: CAQM is a statutory commission for the NCR and adjoining areas with power to issue binding directions. CPCB is the national pollution regulator and here only sits on the review committee.
Don’t confuse with Ex-situ vs in-situ crop residue management: Ex-situ means the straw is removed from the field and used elsewhere, as in power plant co-firing. In-situ means it is managed in the field, for example by incorporating it into the soil.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Creates a market for paddy straw, giving farmers an alternative to burning it.
- Shows CAQM will enforce its directions with financial penalties, which supports NCR air quality.
Problems
- Biomass pellet supply, price and logistics are uneven, and plants cite these as reasons for shortfalls.
- Co-firing alone cannot absorb the very large volume of paddy straw produced.
Way forward
- Build dependable pellet supply chains with long-term offtake contracts.
- Pair enforcement with in-situ options and farmer incentives to cut stubble burning.
Put in your answer
Policy objective: The Rules promote ex-situ management of crop residue to reduce paddy straw burning and NCR air pollution.
- 2014Mains GS3 · Q15Environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads
- 2020Mains GS3 · Q17Key features of the National Clean Air Programme initiated by the government
- 2015Mains GS1 · Q15Why air pollution in Delhi is more serious than in Mumbai and Kolkata
- 2012Prelims Q12Which statements on biomass gasification from crop residues and combustible gases are correct
- 2013Prelims Q13Which sugar industry by-products, including bagasse, can be used for energy generation
- 2020Prelims Q83Advantages of zero tillage, including avoiding residue burning and carbon sequestration
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Links to the CAQM and crop-residue issue, with the 5% blend rule and Environmental Compensation. Moderate relevance; no strong question hook today.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.