Punjab Health Minister visits stubble dump site of a private firm on Patiala-Sirhind road

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh today visited the stubble dump site of a private firm located on the Patiala-Sirhind road.

He said the firm that dumps straw had been helping farmers as it not only purchased straw from them, but had also made arrangements to store it. He said this prevented burning of crop residue. He said bio CNG was prepared from the stored straw. He said this not only increased income of farmers, but also saved the environment.

He said various incidents of fire in fields had been reported, which caused loss of life and property. Therefore, appropriate precautionary steps need to be taken immediately to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people living near this stubble dump site, the minister said.

He directed officials of the administration and owners of the dumping firm that in public interest, a green belt should be developed in an area of about 50 metre between the dump site and the residential colony and shops built near it.

For this purpose, evergreen trees that grow rapidly should be planted in five to six rows, he said. In case of incidents like fire, it could be controlled quickly in the presence of trees, the minister said.

He also instructed dump firm owners that stubble bales kept on the site near houses and shops should be removed so that space can be freed up for developing green belt.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Surinder Singh Dhaliwal assured officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department had been instructed to ensure that every necessary step was taken to prepare the green belt. BDPO Deepshikha and other officials were also present on the occasion.