Farmers in northern districts of Punjab and Haryana are plagued by constant bickering of government and eco-friendly agencies that blame them for air pollution in New Delhi-NCR regions. Reason? Stubble burning.
The government is asking farmers to cut crops with the help of machinery instead of using the ancient method of crop-burning. Stubble burning not only leads to the release of toxic gases but also has an adverse effect on the health of the citizens.
Stubble burning is associated with the extensive use for machinery in paddy fields, which leave 12-14 inch stalks ¡ª frequently described as ¡°stubble¡± ¨C after the crop has been cut.
In a detailed report by Indiatimes, farmers complained that the government had failed to provide them with affordable solutions. As a measure to discourage farmers from burning stubble, the government has imposed a fine of Rs 2,500 per acre on farmers, if found guilty of burning crop remains. The cost of machinery is another factor. Several farmers have claimed that they are yet to get machinery or hear from officials.
AFP
Speaking to news agency ANI, farmers in the agricultural state of Punjab said that industries and vehicles mostly contributed towards air pollution rather than stubble burning.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee district secretary Jarmanjeet Singh told ANI, ¡°The Green Tribunal also said that farmers with two acres of land must be given tools free of cost. The owners of five acres of land would be given Rs 5000 subsidy while the farmers having land more than five acres will get an amount of Rs 15000. But the government is doing nothing in this regard."
Photo: BCCL
The farmers have been suggested to make cardboard out of paddy straw as an alternative. But Singh counters the statement by saying that paddy straw is just sand for them. Also, making of cardboard is only possible if the government takes the necessary initiative. The labour is very expensive for the farmers to afford.
Farmers complained that the government has failed to provide an ideal price for their harvest and it makes little sense if they spend additional money on hiring these machines.
This year, thousands of farmers have been booked for stubble burning in the state of Haryana. According to Haryana Environment Minister Vipul Goyal, authorities have booked over 1,000 farmers and imposed a fine of nearly Rs 12 lakh on them.