As AQI hits ‘severe’, Punjab, Haryana govts initiate action

CHANDIGARH: As air quality reaches ‘severe’ and ‘severe+’ category in multiple cities of Northern India, especially in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana government have now decided to act against the malice of stubble burning before the situation grows more severe. Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana has announced cash incentive of Rs 1000 to those who report instances of stubble burning. He has also directed officials to review crop residue management (CRM) in the state and officers of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department to visit 10 stubble burning hotspots of the state to gather more information on the source of the problem.

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of various districts would also be hosting meetings of ‘the Gram Sabha’ in the concerned villages so that detailed discussions on the topic could be held with the farmers.

Meanwhile Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab has ensured that the state government of Punjab has intensified its actions against farm burning. Enforcement teams had checked 11,286 fire sites, and a total challan of Rs 41.62 lakh has been imposed in 1,585 cases, red entry made in khasra girdawaris in 1,136 cases, and prosecution/FIR filed in 202 cases against the farmers in question.