60 stubble-burning incidents reported in 3 districts so far

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, October 18

Even though the state government is trying hard to curb paddy stubble burning, such incidents are being reported almost daily in Mansa, Muktsar and Bathinda districts.

The data procured in this harvesting season from the Punjab State Pollution Control Board authorities revealed that in these three districts, maximum stubble burning incidents have been reported from Mansa.

From September 29 to October 17 this year, as many as 23 stubble-burning incidents have been reported in Mansa, 20 in Muktsar and 17 in Bathinda.

However, just seven challans have been issued so far to the erring farmers in these three districts.

These included four in Bathinda, two in Muktsar and just one in Mansa district. The total amount of penalty imposed on such farmers is just Rs 37,500.

Notably, the state government has appointed nodal officers in all the villages to keep a check on field fire incidents.

A large number of cluster officers have also been appointed to keep a check on the functioning of nodal officers and coordinate with them. These officers are also empowered to issue challan to farmers.

Besides, the state government is collecting all information using satellite imagery and the statistics provided by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC).

It is further being provided to the district administration as well as the pollution control authorities.

Daljit Singh, SDO, Punjab State Pollution Control Board, said, “We are issuing challans to farmers for burning paddy stubble. As of now, 60 stubble-burning incidents have come to our notice in Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa districts. We have issued challans to seven farmers. If some farmer fails to pay the penalty, revenue officials make a red entry of their land in records.”

Notably, a number of farmer unions have announced that they would burn paddy stubble. They have accused the state government of failing to provide adequate stubble management machinery.