2 fined for farm fire in Nawanshahr

Acting on the government’s directions to curb stubble burning, the Nawanshahr district administration has intensified its awareness and enforcement efforts across villages. Farmers are being sensitised about the ill-effects of burning crop residue and strict action is being taken against those violating the environmental guidelines.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Avneet Kaur said incidents of stubble burning are being taken seriously. So far, two farmers have been fined Rs 15,000 while an FIR has also been registered against one farmer, with red entries initiated in their land records.

Reviewing stubble management efforts in the fields, Avneet directed SDMs and DSPs of all sub-divisions to ensure joint patrolling and strict vigilance to prevent any incidents of crop residue burning. She emphasised that any violation detected in the field would lead to immediate legal action.

Appealing to the farming community, Avneet urged all farmers not to set stubble on fire and instead use available machinery for in-situ management of crop residue.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma said over 2,700 straw management machines are available in the district. The Agriculture Department is also conducting intensive awareness and outreach activities to educate farmers about sustainable alternatives to stubble burning.

The meeting was attended by SDM Anamjyot Kaur, SDM, Banga, Vipin Bhandari, DSP Raj Kumar, Engineer Chandan Sharma, Dr Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and other officials.