Kurukshetra admn warns farmers of FIRs for stubble burning

As wheat harvesting begins in Kurukshetra, the district administration has warned farmers against burning crop residue. according to the district administration, FIRs will be registered against erring persons and fines imposed on them.

An Agriculture Department official said, though very few instances of stubble burning had come to light in the Rabi season, directions had been issued to the farmers.

Deputy Director (Agriculture) Dr Karamchand said, last year, 172 instances of farm fires were reported. Of these, farmers purposely set residue on fire only in seven cases, and the remaining cases were of fire caused by accidents, he added. The farmers should take extra precautions while harvesting wheat as a little spark could destroy hundreds of acres of crop, he said. Wheat is being grown on about 1.10 lakh hectares in Kurukshetra this year. The harvesting has started, and is likely to be in full swing in the next few days.

Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh said, “Teams have been formed for block-level monitoring. All efforts are being made to ensure that no incidents of farm fires are reported during the Rabi season. Block Development and Panchayat Officers and the Sub-divisional Magistrates have been ensuring preparations in this regard at the sub-divisional level.”

“Gram panchayats are being motivated to play a positive role in the initiative and purchase super-seeder machines and bailer machines to help farmers manage crop residue. Directions have been issued to officials to keep a special check in villages where farm fires were reported in previous years,” she added.

The DC said, as per the order of the Supreme Court, an FIR would be lodged against those setting fire to crop residue. For this, necessary instructions had been issued to the Police Department and SDMs.

The administration would impose a fine of Rs 5,000 for setting fire to crop residue on land up to 2 acres; a fine of Rs 10,000 for setting fire to residue on 2-5-acres and Rs 30,000 for setting fire to residue on land over 5 acres, she added.

The Deputy Commissioner said flying squad teams would work from morning to night, and action would be taken against any officer found to be negligent towards his/her duties.

Haryana Tribune