Stubble burnt at 100 spots in Fatehabad

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, November 14

Farmers continue to burn paddy stubble on their agricultural fields with impunity even as a political slugfest is on among governments of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi for the smog that has engulfed the area for the past several days.

The Tribune noticed fire at over 100 points on a stretch of 35 km from Bhuna to Jakhal on the Chandigarh road in Fatehabad district today. This was happening exactly at the same time when Haryana Kisan Aayog chairman Ramesh Yadav and Fatehabad Deputy Commissioner Hardeep Singh were patting the back of some “progressive farmers” at local Patwar Bhawan and distributing them commendation certificates for not burning paddy stubble. Yadav expressed satisfaction that due to the awareness created by the government, not many farmers had burnt their paddy straw this year.

Paddy fields were found burning near Bhuna Sugar Mills, Dhani Dulet crossing, Kanikheri, Lehrian, Dher, Dharsul and several other places between Bhuna and Jakhal today. “We don’t have any other option,” said a farmer at Dher.

When he was reminded of the subsidy being given by the government for buying agriculture equipment, the farmer said, “Though the authorities say they gave subsidies through the draw of lots, everyone knew in advance who will get it. Those close to the ruling party corner away the little number of equipment they offer on subsidies,” the farmer alleged.

The DC admitted that a number of farmers had burnt paddy stubble today and said he had asked the Revenue Department to provide him the list of all such farmers.

“Earlier, we used to impose fine on them as per the order of the NGT. Now we are going to prosecute them under the environmental laws,” the DC added.