November 9th 2023.
Chandigarh: The Punjab government has decided to take strict action against farmers indulging in stubble burning. This comes after the state witnessed 2,000 farm fires in a single day on Wednesday, with the maximum from the Sangrur district where chief minister Bhagwant Mann hails from. So far this paddy harvest season, Punjab has logged over 23,000 cases of farm fires till November 6.
This step was taken days after the Supreme Court reprimanded Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and other states for failing to check paddy straw burning, which is one of the main contributors to the severe air pollution in Delhi and the NCR. The government has ordered the civil and police administration to register police cases under section 188 of IPC against farmers who are found burning stubble. They have also asked the district magistrates, police commissioners, and senior superintendents of police to review incidents of stubble burning daily and to conduct regular visits to the fields. Station house officers will also be held responsible for any farm fire incidents in their areas.
Meanwhile, farm leaders have stated that the farmers had no choice but to burn the stubble as they had no other option. About five lakh farmers had applied for the crop residue management machines which were available at subsidised rates, however, only 25,000 could get them. Moreover, burning paddy straw is cheaper and quicker than the straw management course, making it the preferred option for the farmers.
With 30% of the paddy harvest yet to be harvested, there is a fear that more farm fires may occur in Punjab in the coming days. The Punjab government is trying its best to put an end to this issue, and it is important that the farmers cooperate with them in order to protect the environment.
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