15 farmers fined for stubble burning

Amritsar, September 28

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The district administration has challaned 15 farmers and imposed fine to the tune of Rs55, 000 for burning crop residue.

A nodal officer has been deputed to keep a check on the issue. Gurpreet Khehra, Deputy Commissioner, told that satellite imagery has detected 318 places in the district. He said officials of Punjab Pollution Control Board visited around 150 villages and confirmed 54 such instances whereby farmers put the stubble on fire contributing to air pollution. Out of them 15 were challaned on Monday while the process to hit remaining 39 peasants is underway. He said SDMs were visiting villages and advising farmers to refrain from burning the residue. They advocated use of bailer machines for making bundles of the straw. Harpal Singh, executive engineer Punjab Pollution Control Board, said revenue department has been asked to make ‘red entries’ in the record of as many as 29 farmers who have taken to the task.

Meanwhile, Amritsar rural police asked SHOs of all police stations and DSPs rank officers to keep an eye on the offenders indulging in the activity in their jurisdiction.

Authorities said that every step would be taken to desist the farmers from burning straw. They said SHOs were asked to instruct village police officers to inform senior officials about the farmers involved in the stubble burning. — TNS