Punjab: Administration in Gurdaspur appealed to farmers not to burn stubble.

Gurdaspur, October 21 (IANS). Even on the day of Diwali in Gurdaspur, Punjab, the district administration was actively stopping farmers from burning stubble and making them aware of the importance of stubble management. Deputy Commissioner Dalvinderjit Singh and SSP Aditya visited Sohal and Sahari villages and appealed to the farmers not to burn crop residues. Both the officers told the farmers that the necessary machinery for stubble management, such as super seeder and baler, has been provided by the Agriculture Department, so that the farmers can manage the stubble easily. The Deputy Commissioner said that the entire administrative machinery, including civil and police departments, was going from village to village to motivate the farmers not to burn stubble. He said that even on the day of Diwali, field teams remained active so that the trend of stubble burning could be stopped completely. Last year there were three incidents of stubble burning in Sohal village, but this year there was not a single incident there. This time, straw bales are being made under stubble management in Sohal village, which is a commendable initiative. The Deputy Commissioner also appreciated the efforts of progressive farmer Atar Singh and informed that there were 47 incidents of stubble burning in the district last year, while only 5 were recorded this year. He appealed to the farmers to cooperate with the district administration and instructed the officials of the Agriculture Department, cluster and nodal officers to ensure that the farmers do not face any problem in stubble management and machinery should be made available on priority basis. He said that in most of the villages of the district there are progressive farmers who do not burn stubble for many years and explain its benefits to other farmers. The district administration also honors such farmers by giving them letters of appreciation. If any farmer has any problem, he can contact the nearest agriculture department, block office, SDM office or helpline number 1800-180-1852. SSP Gurdaspur Aditya said with the joint efforts of police and civil administration, farmers are being made aware not to burn stubble and he also appealed to the farmers to cooperate with the district administration. On this occasion progressive farmers Atar Singh (Sohal) and Palwinder Singh (Sahari) said that instead of burning the crop residues, baling should be done. He said that the district administration provides subsidy and agricultural machinery to the farmers for stubble management and appealed to the farmers not to burn the crop residue because it is not garbage but gold, which can be mixed in the field to sow wheat. –IANS ASH/DKP Share this story Tags