Field fires:101 fined Rs 2.6 lakh in Amritsar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 8

The district administration has challaned 101 farmers in the past three days for flouting the ban on burning of crop residue in agricultural fields. Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said a total fine of Rs 2.65 lakh had been imposed on the offenders. The authorities had collected Rs 12,500 from the farmers on the spot.

The administration has formed a team of officers from the departments of agriculture, pollution control, cooperatives, panchayats, power, revenue and police to enforce the instructions.

The Deputy Commissioner stated that a nodal officer each had been appointed for the 776 villages in the district. For every 20 villages, one coordinator has been appointed. Sangha said 30 teams were issuing challans to erring farmers.

He added that after receiving reports from the remote sensing centre regarding fire incidents, the details were sent to the nodal officer concerned, who was tasked with verifying the same and reporting to the coordinator.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dalbir Singh Chhina said they were making efforts to create awareness among farmers through the public address system and meetings.