Chandigarh, April 24 -- The Union ministry of agriculture has sanctioned Rs.576 crore for crop residue management (CRM) to Punjab in the current financial year, marking the ninth consecutive year of central assistance for stubble management during the kharif (paddy) harvest season.

Following the allocation, the state agriculture department will submit proposals outlining interventions, including the supply of subsidised machinery for both in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy stubble, along with awareness programmes for farmers, officials familiar with the development said.

Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution in the National Capital Region in October and November. ...