The problem of stubble burning starts hovering in the state of Punjab as soon as the month-to-grow Kharif Crops arrive. Farmers all over the state adopt the traditional way of making their fields ready for sowing again i.e. they burn the residue to paddy. This method drastically affects the air quality of most northern region.
In order to get a hold of this problem, Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala has made a big announcement regarding the farmers who will be caught burning stubble in the district. He further added that not only this but also no arms license or passport verification will be allowed for the farmers found guilty in the district for burning stubble.
The DC said, “while 4181 machines have already been given on subsidy by the government under various schemes, this time also 652 machines were given on subsidy so that the farmers can be provided with an aid in stubble management.”
The state government has also organized many campaigns to make people especially farmers realize the negative effects of stubble burning, on the whole, the environment. Reportedly, more than 200 nodal officers and 39 cluster officers have been given the responsibility of preventing stubble burning.
Special surveillance is being kept on the villages that were the hotspots of stubble burning in the previous year. A show cause notice to 2 officials for informing false reports in the case of stubble burning has also been issued.
While speaking to True Scoop, DC Kapurthala said, "I have only ordered that the farmers personally involved in stubble burning will not get the arms license and their passport verification will also not be done. Major section of farmers in Punjab do apply for arms licenses and if they don't understand their responsibility towards the environment then how can we trust them with the arms? A farmer who is defying the laws sated by the government can also not be trusted with arms. So, the best is to not provide them with the same."