Accidental fire cases in fields on the rise, PSPCL blamed

AMRITSAR: The region has witnessed a decrease in the cases of stubble burning but the incidents of accidental fire have increased this year. Official figures by the Agriculture Department state that wheat crop on 282 acres and stubble on 316 acres was burnt in accidental fire incidents in the district. In most of the cases, negligence on the part of PSPCL was reported.

Reports of the Agriculture Department state that wheat crop on 282 acres and stubble on 316 acres was burnt in accidental fire incidents in the district. file photo

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 30

The region has witnessed a decrease in the cases of stubble burning but the incidents of accidental fire have increased this year.

Official figures by the Agriculture Department state that wheat crop on 282 acres and stubble on 316 acres was burnt in accidental fire incidents in the district. In most of the cases, negligence on the part of PSPCL was reported.

On April 21, wheat crop and stubble on around 300 acres of land was burnt in a massive fire which broke out in the fields of Othian, Salempura, Joans and Dhariwal Bagga villages. The farmers claimed that the fire took place due to a short circuit in the high-tension electricity wires passing over the area. Similarly, 35-acre wheat crop was destroyed in Bhangali village near Majitha due to a spark in the electric wires a day before yesterday.

The farmers alleged that the lose wires and fluctuation of voltage in rural areas had led to a spark in open joints.

According to information, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) gives Rs 8,000 per acre compensation for wheat burn. There is no provision of compensation in case of stubble burning in the fields. The farmers use the crop residue to make husk for using as fodder to cattle. Their loss is of around Rs 6,000 per acre if the crop residue gets damaged in the fire.

Various farmer unions have been demanding fixing of responsibility of PSPCL officials in case of fire out break due to negligence of PSPCL.

Gulzar Singh, a farm activist, said “The government should increase the compensation amount from Rs 8,000 to Rs 25,000 and fix the responsibility of officials of PSPCL. The farmers should also get compensation in case their crop residue gets burnt in fields”.

Dalbir Singh Chhina, Chief Agriculture officer, said “The farmers have been adopting alternatives of stubble burring. But accidental fire cases are on a high. PSPCL should take precautionary steps before the harvesting season”.