The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), on December 23, 2025, issued the Show Cause Notices to Six Thermal Power Plants within 300 km of Delhi, for non-compliance with biomass co-firing norms.
The following has been stated:-
• The Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued Show-Cause Notices to six coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) located within a 300 km radius of Delhi. These notices were issued for non-compliance with the mandatory provisions relating to co-firing of pellets or briquettes made from crop residue, notified under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023. The action follows a detailed review of compliance status for FY 2024–25, based on data provided by the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• The Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 mandate all coal-based TPPs to utilise a minimum 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes made of crop residue along with coal, with a minimum threshold of more than 3% co-firing prescribed for FY 2024–25 to avoid imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC). These Statutory provisions were notified to promote ex-situ management of paddy straw, reduce incidents of stubble burning, and mitigate air pollution in NCR and Adjoining Areas. The Commission has, since 2021, issued multiple Statutory Directions, including Direction No. 42 dated 17 September 2021, and has consistently monitored implementation through periodic reviews and inspections.
[Press Release ID: 2207853]
