A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted field reviews in the Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla districts of Punjab to evaluate preparedness and enforcement measures for paddy straw management. The review aimed to curb stubble burning through effective in-situ and ex-situ utilization of crop residue, thereby mitigating regional air pollution during the winter season. - **Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):** A statutory body established in 2020 under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act to coordinate, monitor, and plan for air quality management in the NCR and adjoining regions. - **National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):** India's flagship national-level strategy launched by the MoEFCC in 2019 to reduce particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations by 40% across targeted non-attainment cities by 2025-26. **Introduction** A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted field reviews in the Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla districts of Punjab to evaluate preparedness and enforcement measures for paddy straw management. The review aimed to curb stubble burning through effective in-situ and ex-situ utilization of crop residue, thereby mitigating regional air pollution during the winter season. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed paddy straw management measures in the Punjab districts of Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla. - The review focused on minimizing stubble burning incidents through in-situ and ex-situ management strategies ahead of the peak paddy harvesting season. - Efforts included promoting crop residue management (CRM) machinery, utilizing paddy straw in biomass power plants and industrial boilers, and active monitoring by district administrations. - The initiative forms part of a multi-agency coordinated approach to curb severe air pollution episodes in the Indo-Gangetic plains and Delhi-NCR during winter. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):** A statutory body established in 2020 under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act to coordinate, monitor, and plan for air quality management in the NCR and adjoining regions. - **National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):** India's flagship national-level strategy launched by the MoEFCC in 2019 to reduce particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations by 40% across targeted non-attainment cities by 2025-26.