Situation of stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab

Stubble burning incidents at 730 places in Punjab, only 60 cases in Haryana
Chandigarh: There is a continuous decline in the incidents of stubble burning in Haryana. Only 60 cases have been reported so far this year, which has been possible due to the strict policies of the government and stubble management. In contrast, Punjab has reported 730 cases.

Three cities of Haryana are among the most polluted cities of the country. According to the data released by the Pollution Control Board, Bahadurgarh, Dharuhera and Fatehabad are the most polluted. The main reason for this is both industry and stubble burning.

Pollution level of Haryana

At the time of Diwali, 10 cities of Haryana were in the red zone, but now only 3 cities are in this category. Most of the cities are now in the Orange Zone, indicating hazardous health conditions.

Due to reduction in incidents of stubble burning

• The government has fixed the responsibilities of numberdars and panchayat representatives. Farmers who burn stubble will be punished, while those who manage it will get rewards. All Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to set up control rooms to monitor the incidents.
• Farmers doing stubble management will be given Rs 1200 per acre. A comprehensive action plan has been made to stop burning of stubble after harvesting of paddy. Nodal officers have been appointed in every village.
• Special attention will be given to those villages where there have been more cases of stubble burning in the last three years. The Revenue Department will ensure that no numberdar or panchayat member burns the stubble.
• After making a map of the fields of every village, a nodal officer has been appointed for more than 50 farmers. Old crop residue management machines are being removed. There is a plan to make machines rent free for small farmers.
• Fines and FIRs are being registered for burning crop residues. A fine of Rs 30,000 is being imposed on farmers with more than 5 acres of land, Rs 10,000 on farmers with 2 to 5 acres and Rs 5,000 on farmers with less than that. Repeated burning will prevent farmers from selling their crops for the next two seasons.