CAQM sets up a year-round cell in SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab for paddy stubble management
On 29 July 2025, the Commission for Air Quality Management announced a dedicated cell at SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab to oversee paddy stubble management throughout the year.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced on 29 July 2025 that it had set up a Dedicated CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab, located at Kisan Vikas Chamber, Kalkat Bhawan. The permanent cell will work year-round on paddy stubble management in Punjab and Haryana, from planning and farmer engagement to the supply chain of paddy straw to end-users. The cell will also monitor pollution control in identified thermal power plants, focusing on biomass co-firing, and supervise air quality issues in Haryana's NCR areas farther from Delhi. CAQM is a statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021).
Key facts
- Announced
- 29 July 2025
- Location
- Kisan Vikas Chamber, Kalkat Bhawan, SAS Nagar (Mohali)
- Core task
- Year-round paddy stubble management, Punjab and Haryana
- Also covers
- Biomass co-firing in thermal plants; Haryana NCR areas
- CAQM law
- CAQM in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021)
- Ex officio State members (Sec 3(2)(c))
- Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where has the Commission for Air Quality Management set up a dedicated year-round cell for paddy stubble management, as announced on 29 July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab
PIB (29 July 2025): CAQM established a Dedicated CAQM Cell at Kisan Vikas Chamber, Kalkat Bhawan, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab.
Besides paddy stubble management, the new CAQM cell in Mohali will monitor pollution control in identified thermal power plants with a focus on:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Biomass co-firing
PIB: the cell will also monitor and coordinate air pollution control measures in identified thermal power plants, particularly biomass co-firing.
Under Section 3(2)(c) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, the five ex officio State Members of CAQM come from:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
CAQM Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021), Section 3(2)(c): five ex officio Members who are Chief Secretaries or Secretaries in charge of environment in the NCT of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.