In an attempt to curb stubble burning by farmers, the Punjab government is considering a proposal to amend the Panchayati Raj Act and bar such farmers from contesting panchayat elections.
“We are seriously considering a proposal to make farmers ineligible for contesting panchayat elections if found guilty of burning stubble,” said Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on Thursday.
Mr. Bajwa said the practice of stubble burning is not only polluting the environment but also the soil which is losing its fertility day by day.
“The government has launched a vigorous campaign to make farmers aware of the ill effects of stubble burning and some legal actions are also being taken to stop this practice. We are providing subsidies on the agricultural implements used for mulching paddy straw into the soil. This has led to 40% decrease in stubble burning by the farmers,” said Mr. Bajwa.
‘Hard decisions’
The Minister said the government did not want to make strict laws or take strict actions, but to save the future generations "such hard decisions were the need of the hour".