Farmers fined Rs27,500 for stubble burning in Panipat

Tribune News Service

Panipat, May 3

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 27,500 on 12 farmers of various villages in the district for burning wheat crop residue.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a ban on stubble burning which causes air pollution and other health problems. Following the NGT orders, the Agriculture Department has directed all the Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs) and the field functionaries to keep a vigil.

Sunil Mann, SDO, Agriculture Department, said a team comprising a patwari and an official from the HSPCB conducted joint inspection.

He said, “In the last season, there were 31 teams, but this time the department has fixed responsibility of the field functionary concerned, including ADOs, to check stubble burning.”

The fine has been imposed on 12 farmers of Parahalad Pur Khalila, Shahpur, Raja Kheri, Seewah, Manana, Dehra and Dhodhpur villages of the district, he said, adding that eight more cases of stubble burning had been detected.

“Twelve cases of stubble burning have been reported so far in the district and Rs 27,500 fine has been imposed on 12 farmers,” said Bhupender Singh Chahl, Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Besides, eight cases of stubble burning were reported by the teams so far and the farmers would be challaned shortly, he said.