Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary on Friday urged the state’s panchayats to come forward to execute their moral responsibility of protecting people from the menace of crop residue burning by sensitizing the farmers as this trend will further exacerbate the COVID-19 situations.
“Accepting the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s appeal to ensure zero stubble burning in the State, many panchayats are working tirelessly and joined hands with the State Government by passing resolutions against the stubble burning menace. But, the target of zero paddy stubble burning would be achieved only when all the panchayats will team up with the State Government and pledge to shun the threat,” she said.
Chaudhary said that it was a proven fact of the experts of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, that by not burning paddy residue and in-situ management of residue will increase land fertility. “The farmers would get a nine percent increase in yield, means two quintal more produce per acre,” she said, adding that in-situ residue management machines are available between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,700 per acre for farmers and they should avail the benefit in the larger public interest.
“Implementing the Supreme Court’s directions in true spirit to stop the menace, Punjab Government has made elaborate arrangements for the storage of paddy straw in the rural areas, besides appointing Nodal Officers at village level, who are efficaciously performing their duty to completely eradicate the trend and immediately report the stubble burning incidents,” she said.
The Minister said that even the District Administrations have been directed to make fool-proof arrangements for storage of paddy straw at the village level on common land, cattle ponds, gaushalas.
They have also been directed to make available sufficient space for the storage of Basmati straw during the ongoing kharif harvesting season which can be used as cattle feed later by any one. Besides, directions have also been given to the District Administrations to ensure effective dissemination of IEC (Information Education and Communication) activities being carried out in their districts so that no farmer should be left behind from the sensitization programme.
Chaudhary said that the panchayats should ensure that harvesting of paddy would be done only by the Super SMS fitted combine harvesters and they would inform the police and administration immediately in case of any violation as it will cause huge damage to human health, especially the children and old-age people and the environment in these trying times of coronavirus.