Combines to have super straw mgmt system: NGT
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 11
In view of the strict prohibition of burning of paddy straw by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), no combine harvester will be allowed to harvest paddy without installing super straw management system (SMS) this year.
For this, the state government has decided to give subsidy farmers for adding the SMS on combine harvesters. Stating this, Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said, “This year, the paddy straw should be disposed off without any kind of fire. Therefore, installation of the super SMS is mandatory for owners of combine harvesters.”
“The super SMS system is an extension to be attached with harvester. It will cut down straw into small peaces before releasing it in fields. In this way, the sowing of next crop will be possible without burning of paddy straw,” he added.
He said, “In order to provide financial assistance to farmers it has been decided by the government to provide subsidy up to 50 per cent (maximum Rs 50,000). Installation of the super SMS system is mandatory for all types of new and old combine harvesters.”
District agriculture officer Dalbir Singh said those farmers, who wanted to instal the super SMS system could submit their applications in a prescribed format at the district agriculture office. The last date for submission of applications was September 30, he added.
