Punjab’s new firefighting step, no arms licences for stubble-burners

With over 60 farm fires reported within a week of the start of paddy harvesting season in Punjab, the district administrations in the state have started issuing formal orders to make “red entries” in the revenue records of the farmers who set crop residue on fire. The move by the district authorities reportedly comes after a nod by the state government.

‘Red entries’ in revenue records

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• ‘Red entries’ to be made in the revenue records of farmers resorting to farm fires
• Anyone applying for a new arms licence or the renewal of an existing one will get the nod only if there’s no such entry in his revenue record
• This may lead to a controversy as farm unions have already announced their opposition to any such move by the govt

The farmers having red entries in their revenue records will not be able to apply for a new licence for any weapon or get their existing arms licences renewed.

Patiala Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Additional District Magistrate Kanchan has ordered that anyone applying for a new arms licence or the renewal of an existing one “will get a nod” only after the land records have been verified. According to the order, those resorting to farm fires (having red entries in the revenue records) will not be able to get any new arms licence or get their existing arms licences renewed.

The state witnessed 11 farm fires on Sunday, the highest in a single day this season that started on September 15. Six of these incidents were in Amritsar, four in Gurdaspur and one in Patiala.

Meanwhile, farm unions have demanded that farmers be financially supported by the government for stubble management. “They are forced to burn stubble as the state government has failed to provide them adequate support for crop residue management. We will oppose any action against farmers in this regard, including red entries in revenue records or the registration of FIRs,” they said.

This season, paddy has been sown on 32.5 lakh hectares in the state. It is expected to generate around 22.5 million tonnes of straw and managing it will be a challenge for the state government.

Another Deputy Commissioner posted in the Doaba belt said he would also pass similar orders in the coming days since the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal closely monitored the performance of DCs in every district.