Sangrur, November 7

Amid the state government’s claims about strict action against farmers who burn paddy stubble, in Sangrur, a total of 2,500 incidents of stubble burning have come to light to date. However, officials have been able to visit only around 100 sites as farmers are not allowing them to enter their fields.

Farmers are openly burning stubble without any fear. In many villages, special committees of farmer unions are keeping a watch over the entry of officers, who have been deputed to check stubble burning. Whenever any officer tries to reach any burnt field, committee members send a message in WhatsApp groups, and area farmers converge to oppose officials in no time.

why no action against industries?

Why only burning of stubble is questioned by the authorities? Big industrial houses are causing pollution too. But there is no action against them. — Jagsir Singh, Farmer

“If government authorities are really serious to contain pollution, they should give us at least Rs 200 per quintal to manage stubble. Otherwise burning is the only option with us,” said Gobind Mangwal, BKU Ekta Ugrahan leader. After receiving data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, teams of various officials, including patwaris and panchayat secretaries, have been visiting sites and submitting their reports to their SDMs. “Of the total 2,500 sites of stubble burning, officials have visited around 100 and imposed a fine of Rs 35,000,” said Sachin Singla, SDO, Punjab Pollution Control Board. — TNS