Kapurthala intensifies efforts to curb stubble burning in 27 villages

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal on Friday directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to visit 27 identified hotspot villages within the next three days to prevent stubble burning during the ongoing paddy season. The teams are tasked with submitting detailed action plans to address the issue effectively.

During a meeting of the “Parali Protection Force” focused on stubble management, the Deputy Commissioner issued firm instructions for officers to personally visit the 27 villages — 13 in Bholath, 10 in Sultanpur Lodhi and four in Kapurthala — where three or more stubble-burning incidents were reported last season. The goal is to engage with farmers and raise awareness about the harmful effects of stubble burning. These teams will include officials from the Agriculture and Cooperative Societies Departments.

The Education Department has been directed to conduct daily awareness programs, including seminars, painting competitions and speech contests, to educate students about the environmental damage caused by stubble burning.

According to Agriculture Department officials, Kapurthala is expected to produce 7.54 lakh metric tonnes of paddy stubble from 1.17 lakh hectares of cultivated land. Of this, 4.56 lakh metric tonnes will be managed in-situ through field incorporation, while 2.98 lakh metric tonnes will be handled ex-situ using balers and other methods.

The DC emphasised that the Cooperation Department must establish a control room immediately to ensure farmers have access to necessary machinery for stubble management through cooperative societies.

To strengthen enforcement, joint civil and police teams will conduct continuous patrolling across the district’s four sub-divisions. Additionally, 44 nodal officers and 200 cluster officers have been appointed to respond swiftly to any fire incidents.