Farm fire penalty doubled, farmers miffed

Farmer unions have criticised the Centre’s decision to increase penalties under the Environment Protection Act (EPA) for setting paddy stubble on fire.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, leader of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha Non-Political, said that the Centre has backtracked from offering Rs 1,200 crore sought by the state to be given as compensation to farmers for stubble management.

He said that doubling the penalty is not a solution to the problem. The move is an indication of the vindictive attitude of both the Centre and state government towards the farmers.

Prem Singh Bhangu, president of the All-India Kisan Federation, said the central government has not followed the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court for compensating the farmers.

Bhangu added that farmers do not wish to set paddy residue on fire. “Rather, the farmers are being forced to set the residue on fire due to the absence of any government support,” said Bhangu.

As per the new rules, a farmer having less than two acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 against the previous fine of Rs 2,500.

The updated rules, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change on November 6, enforce stricter financial penalties on farmers engaging in stubble burning across key states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Meanwhile, a farmer having two acres or more, but less than five acres will now be penalised Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000. The ones who possess more than five acres will have to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 30,000 as against Rs 15,000.