Admn takes tough stand against farmers burning stubble

The administration has taken a tough stand against farmers indulging in stubble burning under the guise of accidental fires, which cause environmental pollution, accidents and spread diseases.

Besides registering cases against violators, the administration has also started making red entries in their revenue records so that they cannot avail facilities available under various government schemes.

Viraj S Tidke, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Malerkotla, said officials in various subdivisions had been advised to take a tough stand against farmers indulging in stubble burning under the guise of accidental fires that compounded problems related with pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, besides causing environmental pollution.

Tidke said the police were asked to register cases against violators and revenue officials advised to make red entries in their revenue records. “As the crop-residue burning tendency escalates the threat of spreading many diseases and loss of property due to accidents, we have taken serious note of the violation and registered many cases against violators,” Tidke said.

Investigation further revealed that at least 10 cases under Section 223 of the BNS were registered against violators for fire incidents in the areas falling under the Ahmedgarh Sadar, Amargarh, Sandaur and Malerkotla police stations on Saturday.

Sub-Division Magistrates (SDMs) were asked to make red entries in revenue records of farmers burning agricultural wastes.

Earlier, the SDMs at Ahmedgarh, Raikot, Payal and Amargarh had directed officials in various departments to take preventive and punitive action against those farmers who burnt stubble under the guise of accidental fire.