Ensure zero farm fires in Kaithal: DC to officials

Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Preeti on Friday directed the officials concerned to work at the grassroots level with complete coordination to ensure zero incidents of stubble burning in the district this season.

She made it clear that if any incident of stubble burning was reported, not only would an FIR be registered against the offender farmer, but accountability would also be fixed on the village secretary, patwari, SHO, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), and even the SDM concerned.

Chairing a meeting on stubble management at the Mini-Secretariat here, the DC said, last year, 194 cases of stubble burning were reported in the district.

“This year, not a single case should occur,” she said, adding that in the next three to four days, all officers must visit villages, particularly those where incidents occurred last year.

She said police and civil administration teams should conduct joint visits to villages, impose challans and fines on violators, ensure FIR registration, and mark red entries in revenue records.

SHOs were told to increase evening patrolling and carry out awareness activities with patwaris, village secretaries, and local teams.

The DC directed the officials of the Agriculture Department to organise awareness camps in villages affected last year, inform farmers about government incentives of Rs 1,200 per acre and the availability of in-situ and ex-situ machinery, and ensure timely supply of balers and required equipment.

Panchayat officials were warned of strict action under Section 51 of the Panchayati Raj Act in case of negligence.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Upasana Yadav instructed all SHOs to register FIRs in stubble burning cases without delay, step up evening patrolling, and act swiftly on control room alerts.