‘Helpless’ farmers approach gaushalas to manage stubble

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 11

Farmers are finding it difficult to manage paddy residue in the absence of machines and labour in villages in the district.

The state government is urging farmers not to burn the paddy stubble, but it seems that it does not have adequate resources to look after the issues of farmers if they shun the practice.

Disappointed over not getting any support from the state government to manage paddy stubble, marginal farmers are now experimenting various means to get the residue lifted from their fields. Some of them are even approaching gaushalas.

Manoj Sharma and Harvinder Sharma, farmers from Mehma Sarkari village in Goniana block, said, “We faced problems as we did not get any machine to clear the paddy residue. Therefore, the wheat sowing process is getting delayed. On Monday, we had approached a gaushala and urged its authorities to use stubble to feed cattle. They have agreed to it. But, there is no help from the state government or the district administration.”

Tirath Singh Sidhu, a farmer from Dyalpura Mirza village, said, “We are facing problems due to lack of machines and labourers to clear the paddy stubble from our fields. If the state government is urging farmers not to burn the stubble, it should come out with some measures so that the wheat sowing process does not get delayed.”

Six cases registered for stubble burning

A total of six cases have been registered against farmers for burning stubble in the district on Sunday.

Malkit Singh of Phus Mandi, Gurtej Singh of Bhagu, Gurpreet Singh of Nathana, Balkaur Singh of Pirkot, Balwinder Singh of Birbehman, Kulwant Singh and Gursewak Singh of Kalebander have been booked.

Farmer unions are demanding cancellation of cases registered against the farmers over stubble burning.