Curbing farm fires uphill task in Malerkotla district

Though the district administration has claimed to have made all preparations to stop farmers from violating guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by setting paddy stubble afire, it is going to face an uphill task.

Employees were reluctant to initiate punitive action against the wilful defaulters. Leaders of various constituents of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) have already threatened to oppose any action against farmers burning paddy residue.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Pallavi said senior functionaries in various government departments had been asked to ensure the NGT guidelines regarding prohibition on stubble burning were implemented in letter and spirit.

“Officials concerned have been asked to adopt zero tolerance towards burning of stubble,” said the DC, adding that cops were asked to register case against violators while revenue officials would be making red entries in their records.

Office-bearers of the Revenue Patwar Union, Punjab, led by president Balraj Singh Aujla and general secretary Sukhpreet Singh Dhillon, have sought intervention of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on red entries. “The orders regarding the red entry were withdrawn vide memo number 17/15/2018 BM (2)/14024 dated November 23, 2022,” read a letter from the union to the CM.

Meanwhile, employees, who were deployed as nodal officers, have shown reluctance to acting against farmers setting stubble on fire. “How can we oppose the outfits working for the interests of farmers,” said the president of an employees’ union claiming that he had sought exemption from the duty as nodal officer for two villages of the district.