Use baler machines for crop residue management: DC

Ahead of the paddy harvesting season, the district administration has released a list of baler machine operators in the district to help farmers manage crop residue in their fields without burning.

Officials of the district administration stated that telephone numbers of these machine operators have been advertised through various means and asked the farmers to contact them in case they need their services.

In a meeting with officials of various departments, the administration has also fixed responsibility of officials for burning crop residue in areas under their jurisdiction. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori asked the Sub-Divisional Magistrates to identify villages which had reported maximum number of cases.

The DC asked the SDMs to hold meetings with farmers in these villages and educate them about the harms of burning crop residue. Meanwhile, SSP Charanjit Singh said the in-charge of the police station concerned would be held accountable for burning of crop residue in his area.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the officials to rope in farmer unions and other social organisations to seek their help in checking residue burning. Thori said the burning of crop residue this season would not be allowed at any cost and action as per the law would be taken against defaulters. He said farmers can use baler machines which are also procured by industrial units. He said this way farmers would not only help in protecting the environment but would also earn money.