16 farmers challaned for burning straw in Amritsar

Tribune News Service 

Amritsar, October 7

The district administration challaned 16 farmers for stubble-burning in administrative blocks of the city on Sunday.  In Jandiala, a team of revenue officials led by SDM-1 Rajesh Sharma found a farmer burning paddy stubble in his field. He was challaned and a penalty of Rs 2,500 was imposed on him. The farmer paid the fine on the spot.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Sharma met farmers in several villages and educated them about the harmful effects of stubble-burning. Following the satellite images of stubble-burning in Chabba and Maluwal village, SDM Vikas Heera visited the spot and imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 on each farmer. He collected the amount on the spot.       

Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha stated that the Ajanala SDM found seven farmers burning paddy stubble. The administration issued challans and collected Rs 17,500 as penalty. Baba Bakala Tehsildar Robanjit Kaur issued challans and realised a fine of Rs 2,500 each from six farmers. 

Deputy Commissioner stated that no one would be exempted from penalty. Action would be taken as per the directions of the government. “The administration has been issuing challans for stubble-burning, but the practice goes unchecked in several areas of the region. Not only in remote villages, stubble-burning has been reported from Vallah village near New Amritsar too,” he added.