The Punjab government has decided to set up 400 processing plants before next year’s paddy season to convert straw into bio-energy.

“The plants will become operational before the next paddy season, thus preventing recurrence of the environmental hazard triggered by stubble burning,” an official spokesperson said in a statement.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Punjab government by R.K. Verma, CEO, Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion, and K. Iyyapan, MD of NEWAY, a Chennai-based company.

“Plants will be set up by NEWAY Engineers MSW Private Limited with a total investment of Rs. 10,000 crore over the next 10 months,” added the spokesperson.

Patented technology

The spokesperson said the company would use its breakthrough and patented pollution-free zero residue technology to ensure that there was no residue at the end of the process, thus preventing any land filling. “The technology will provide a sustainable solution to the environmental problems caused by burning of paddy residue in the State.”