Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said his government is tackling stubble burning with farmer awareness camps and crop residue management (CRM) machinery. Citing Guru Nanak’s teachings, he urged responsibility towards nature. Punjab recorded a 70 per cent drop in farm fires in 2024 compared to 2023, as per official data
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. File pic
Highlighting that stubble burning in Punjab has been the core reason for crop damage in the state in the past few years, Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann said his government is holding awareness camps for farmers. He also indicated that his government is also giving them crop resident management (CRM) machinery to check stubble burning incidents in the state, reported news agency PTI.
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana after the harvesting of the paddy crop in October and November is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi.
As the window for the rabi crop wheat is very short after the paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop.
While replying to a question on stubble burning, CM Mann said that his government will take efforts to keep farm fires in the state in check, reported PTI.
Invoking teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, through his timeless verse 'Pawan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat', Mann further said that the government is making farmers aware of the crop residue burning incidents.
While speaking to the media in Chandigarh, the Punjab CM also stated that motivational camps are also being held and CRM machinery will be given to farmers.
Moreover, while replying to a question that the Supreme Court on September 17 had asked the Punjab government about why some errant farmers should not be arrested for indulging in stubble burning, Mann said everybody has to accept the decision of the apex court.
He, however, hoped that such a situation does not arise wherein the 'anndata (food provider)' has to be taken to a police station and an FIR is lodged.
In 2024, Punjab saw 10,909 of the total farm fires as compared to 36,663 in 2023, registering a 70 per cent decrease.
Replying to a question on goods and services tax (GST) rate cuts, Mann said, "They themselves had brought it, and then they had said it was a masterstroke. Even now they are saying the same."
The Punjab CM further demanded that the Centre should give the GST dues to the states, PTI reported. He also emphasised that fields will be made ready for wheat sowing and that farmers are extracting sand, which has been deposited on their fields because of the floodwaters.
(With inputs from PTI)
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