24 Haryana Officials Suspended Over Rising Air Pollution

The Haryana Agricultural Department has taken unprecedented action by suspending 24 officials, including Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs) and supervisors, across nine districts as the state battles severe air pollution. Agriculture Director Raj Narayan Kaushik ordered the suspensions in response to unchecked stubble burning incidents in Panipat, Jind, Hisar, Kaithal, Karnal, Ambala, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, and Sonipat. 

Critical Air Quality Situation 

Kurukshetra has emerged as the most polluted city with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 423. Fourteen other cities have recorded AQI levels above 300, prompting health emergency concerns. In response, GRAP-2 restrictions have been implemented across Delhi-NCR regions from 8 AM today.

Enforcement Actions Across Districts 

The crackdown has resulted in numerous legal actions:

• Hisar: 11 FIRs registered against farmers
• Kurukshetra: Red entries made in 58 farmers' records, with 39 more FIRs pending 
• Ambala: 35 farmers faced penalties with red entries 
• Kaithal: 14 farmers arrested and released on bail from 123 reported cases
• Fatehabad: 16 officials issued show-cause notices, 3 FIRs registered 

Health Advisory

Medical experts have urged residents to wear N-95 masks before stepping out and regularly wash their eyes to minimize the impact of smog. The situation remains particularly critical in NCR districts including Faridabad, Gurugram, Nuh, Rohtak, and Sonipat.