Farmers burn crop waste amid Diwali fireworks in Sirsa

As Diwali fireworks lit up the sky, some farmers in Haryana’s Sirsa district took the opportunity to illegally burn paddy stubble, worsening the region’s already poor air quality. Despite government warnings and strict monitoring, at least five farmers were caught burning crop residue in the past few days. They now face fines, FIRs and red entries on the government’s ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byora’ portal -- barring them from receiving official subsidies.

According to officials, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area crossed 456 early Wednesday, placing it in the ‘severe’ category.

Local authorities had deployed near 20 teams of officials and over 500 personnel to patrol rural areas during the festival. Stubble-burning incidents were reported from villages including Jodhkan, Abholi, Rattakhera, Mehnakhera and Pana. Each of the five farmers involved was fined Rs 5,000 and legal action has been initiated.

Alongside crop burning, eight fire incidents were reported during the four-day Diwali period. Fires broke out in houses, factories and vehicles, including a tractor-trolley accident and a blaze on the third floor of Gandhi Nursing Home. Fortunately, the Fire Department quickly responded and there were no casualties or major losses.

Of these eight incidents, two were linked to stubble burning, said fire officials.

Dr Sukhdev Singh Kamboj, Deputy Director of Agriculture, said that most farmers are now avoiding stubble burning. Around 30 pellet-making factories have been set up in the district, which buy stubble at Rs 175-200 per quintal. These facilities are driving the demand for crop residue in Sirsa and nearby districts. He added that farmers could see stubble prices rise up to Rs 2,000 per quintal in the next couple of years if they choose to sell rather than burn. “If a farmer plants wheat even by the end of November, yield won’t be affected,” Kamboj said. “They just need patience and better planning.”