In Sangrur, FIRs no deterrent

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 13

Farmers in the district are in for more trouble, as the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) authorities have filed complaints against 91 of them for alleged violation of Section 39 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Besides, an FIR was registered against 60 farmers for confining four senior government officers at Gharachon village.

Apart from this, the police have registered 200 FIRs and arrested 142 farmers for setting crop residue afire.

Sachin Singla, SDO, PPCB, said, “By burning stubble, farmers are violating the law. After collecting details of erring farmers, we have filed applications in various district courts against 91 of them. Besides, the police too are taking action against the violators.”

However despite strict action, farmers continue to burn stubble. Some of them even burnt straw on Dirba Nagar Panchayat land yesterday. Some congress leaders today approached senior authorities for action.

Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori today suspended three nambardars on the recommendations of Malerkotla SDM over the matter. They are Ajmer Singh from Ranwan village, Kulvir Singh from Narike village and Arbjit Singh from Dhaler Kalan village. “We are taking a strict action against persons resorting to stubble burning,” said Thori.