Wheat harvesting picks up pace, 97 teams set up to check crop residue burning cases

With the wheat harvesting picking up pace across the region, the district administration also geared up to check crop residue burning cases. It has constituted 97 teams which have been assigned villages. As per the authorities, these team members will monitor the crop residue burning incidents in their respective villages during the season. The team members are interacting with farmers to educate them about the ill-effect of crop residue burning incidents, which reduce soil fertility and pose serious risk to human life.

Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Uttam Singh has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting the practice till May 15. Singh, in his order, warned of strict action under Sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and provisions of the Air and Pollution Control Act, 1981.

“We have constituted 97 teams at the village, block and district level to check the incidents of crop residue burning. The officials have been instructed to monitor the wheat harvesting and fire incidents,” said Singh.

As per the order of the state government, fines are also imposed on the farmers for burning crop residue. Earlier, there was a provision of a penalty of Rs 2,500 for burning crop residue on land up to two acres, Rs 5,000 on land between two acres and five, and Rs 15,000 for more than five acres of land. Now these have been increased to Rs 5000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively, the DC asserted.

He claimed that the district had a sufficient number of crop residue management machines.

To ensure compliance and create awareness, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department was conducting multiple outreach programmes in villages. Public announcements through loudspeakers at religious places and community centres were being done.

Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), said they has created WhatsApp groups at the village-level and block level for direct communication. Special attention was being given to those who had set fire to stubble in previous years, urging them not to repeat the practice.

He also claimed that Karnal district had witnessed a significant drop in stubble burning incidents. During the last kharif 2024, the district has recorded 95 incidents while in 2021 these were 957, 301 in 2022, and 126 in 2023.

Wazir Singh also said the number of red zone villages—areas with frequent incidents of burning—reduced from 10 in 2023 to just 2 in 2024. Similarly, yellow zone villages had decreased from 53 in 2023 to 24 in 2024.

The DC urged the farmers to utilise crop residue as animal fodder or mix it back into the soil using available machinery. He said there was ample time before sowing the next crop and advised them not to rush the harvesting process.

He also appealed to the farmers to bring their produce to grain markets only after the crop had dried completely.

ADC appointed as nodal officer in Kaithal

Kaithal: Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Preeti also formed dedicated teams at the village, block and district levels to closely monitor their respective areas to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on burning crop residue. She emphasised that all officers concerned and staff must remain on alert and actively patrol the fields to prevent any stubble burning incidents. Simultaneously, the public should be made aware of the importance of crop residue management.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Deepak Babu Lal Karwa has been appointed as the nodal officer for the district-level team. Other members of the team include the District Revenue Officer, District Development and Panchayat Officer, DSP Headquarters, Deputy Director Agriculture, and representatives from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board.

At the block level, the team comprises Tehsildar/Naib Tehsildar, BDPO, concerned SHO, and officers from the Agriculture Department. Meanwhile, the village-level team includes ADO, ALS, BTM, ATM, Agriculture Supervisor, Patwari, Village Secretary, Sarpanch, and Numberdar.

She said managing crop residue benefited everyone, as it helped prevent environmental pollution and enhanced soil fertility. She directed officials from the panchayat, revenue, agriculture and other departments to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard. The police will also play a vital role in supporting this campaign.

 

Haryana Tribune