PM's principal secretary PK Mishra at Delhi-NCR pollution meet

On September 23, 2024, during a high-level meeting addressing the persistent pollution issues in Delhi-NCR, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary, PK Mishra, emphasized the need to "eliminate stubble burning" as a key strategy to tackle air pollution. Stubble burning, the practice used by farmers to clear crop residue in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, is a major contributor to the region's air quality decline during the winter months. In the meeting, Mishra urged state governments and relevant agencies to implement more stringent measures and promote alternative farming practices, such as using technology or incentives to manage crop residue. This aligns with the central government's ongoing efforts to address air pollution and its health hazards, which significantly worsen during the stubble burning season. Additionally, the meeting focused on coordinating efforts across various sectors, including agriculture, urban planning, and transportation, to mitigate pollution in the region. The issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR has been a long-standing environmental and public health challenge, particularly during the months of October and November when air quality often reaches hazardous levels due to multiple factors, including stubble burning and vehicular emissions.