Industries oppose stricter pollution norms, seek existing limits

People who work with rice and industry groups in Haryana are asking the government to keep the rules about pollution. They do not like the rules that the government wants to make for companies in the National Capital Region. These people think that the new rules will cost them money and will not really help the environment.

The government wants to change the rules so that companies that burn biomass to make energy can only send out 50 milligrams of stuff per cubic meter of air. Now they are allowed to send out 80 milligrams. The new rules will start on August 1 2026 for medium companies that make a lot of pollution. Other companies will have to follow the rules on October 1.

People who work with industry groups, including people who export rice are asking the government to keep the current rules. They say that many companies have already spent money on equipment to control pollution and that they will have to spend more money if the rules change. This will be very hard for companies that are already struggling with costs.

These groups are also asking the government to wait until they finish reclassifying the areas around Delhi before they start enforcing the rules.  The leaders of these groups also think that it is not necessary for companies to send in reports about their pollution when they already have systems that track their emissions online. They think this is extra work and not needed. Industry bodies and rice millers in Haryana are worried about the rules and want the government to listen to them. Rice millers, in Haryana and industry bodies are asking for the rules to stay the same.