CAQM orders strict action against stubble burning in seven Punjab districts
The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed officials in seven Punjab districts to step up surveillance and ensure the use of machinery to curb stubble burning incidents.
In view of the rising incidents of paddy stubble burning in Punjab, the central Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed officials of seven districts in the state to further tighten surveillance and legal action.
Commission Member Secretary Tarun Pithode held a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of Faridkot, Firozpur, Barnala, Bathinda, Patiala, Malerkotla, and Sangrur. During the meeting, officials were instructed to deploy balers and other crop residue management machinery in the fields with full capacity.
Earlier, a team of the commission visited fields in Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla districts to assess the ground situation. The team inspected a factory using stubble as fuel in Malerkotla and interacted with farmers in village Ahmedabad as well as Sangrur's villages Gharachon, Kapyal, and Jhaneri.
On the other hand, the administration has intensified action against violators of norms. So far, 317 FIRs have been registered in the state under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for violating government orders, with the highest number of 224 cases registered in Tarn Taran district alone.
According to the latest figures, 175 fresh cases of stubble burning surfaced in Punjab on Sunday, taking the total fire incidents during the current season to 1,514. Show-cause notices have also been issued to 490 nodal and supervisory officials on charges of dereliction of duty.
Meanwhile, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal also visited several villages in Dera Baba Nanak and Fatehgarh Churian to review stubble management. He appealed to farmers to mix stubble into the soil or make bales using super seeders and balers.
Key developments
- CAQM held a review meeting with the administration of seven Punjab districts and directed to increase strictness.
- A commission team visited villages in Sangrur and Malerkotla to review the use of machinery.
- A total of 317 FIRs have been registered so far in stubble burning cases in the state.
- Show-cause notices were issued to 490 negligent nodal and supervisory officials.
