Use of smart machinery to curb stubble burning

Tribune News Service

Nawanshahr, June 13

With a view to ensuring the dream of Mission Tandarust Punjab come true, the Cooperative Department would purchase 284 agriculture equipments to curb the practice of stubble burning in SBS Nagar district.

These equipments would include happy seeders, rotavators, zero tillage drill and tractors which would help in curbing the practice of stubble burning, thus ensuring a pollution-free environment.

Divulging the details here on Wednesday, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies Mohan Singh Said a meeting of the secretaries of 142 cooperative societies was called to apprise them of the strategy to check the menace of stubble burning.

It was stressed at the meeting that without having an alternative to dispose of stubble, the officials could not force farmers to shun the practice of stubble burning.

“We can mobilise them for proper utilisation of these equipments as an alternative to stubble burning and not to pollute environment,” he said.

The implements would be provided on a meagre rent. These implements would cost Rs 3.34 crore and the state would provide a subsidy of eighty percent.

He directed the societies’ staff to maintain quality of agri inputs besides food products supplied to the members.

He further said to keeping in view the healthcare needs of members of societies, department was going to implement Bhai Kanhaiya Health Insurance to provide cashless treatment amounting to Rs 2 lakh.

Under this scheme, a main member will be charged with a membership fee of Rs 1,765 while the dependent member with Rs 433 per head.

After launching this scheme, the members would be able to get a cashless treatment from the hospitals, he added.

Move aimed at ensuring clean environment

• A meeting of the secretaries of 142 cooperative societies was called to apprise them of the strategy to check the menace of stubble burning. 
• The new equipment would include happy seeders, rotavators, zero tillage drill and tractors which would help in curbing the practice of stubble burning, thus ensuring a pollution-free environment.