30 farmers, 15 harvester owners fined

Mahesh Sharma

Raikot, November 12

The civil administration has come all out to check stubble-burning through persuasive and punitive methods.

At present, eight cluster officers have been deployed to persuade cultivators through nodal officers and 45 violators have been challaned, including 30 farmers and 15 combine harvester’s owners. The coordinated movement has been launched under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Dr Himanshu Gupta.

Appreciating the role played by volunteers, including guardians of governance (GOGs) and office-bearers of social organisations in educating farmers about serious consequences of stubble burning, Dr Gupta said, “All stakeholders will benefit due to check on stubble-burning practice.”

Inputs received from the Punjab Remote Sensing System help in monitoring incidents of straw burning. Other than imposing fine on erring farmers, the administration has asked officials concerned to enter negative remarks in revenue records as well.

The SDM said farmers were eligible for 50 per cent subsidy on purchase of equipment required for stubble management whereas cooperative bodies were entitled for 80 per cent subsidy.