Haryana: 133 farmers penalised for burning stubble in Kaithal

district administration in Kaithal, Haryana, has penalised 133 farmers for resorting to stubble burning with minimum fine of Rs 2,500. "Each defaulter has paid at least Rs. 2,500 as fine. highest fine imposed was Rs. 15,000. se fines were levied after taking stock of area of ir land. FIR will also be filed against those who fail to pay fines," said Pawan Sharma, Agriculture Deputy Director, Kaithal district.

'Straw burning in Kaithal has reduced by 60%'

Pawan Sharma said that for  past one and a half months, officials of Revenue Department, Panchayats and Agriculture Department have been assigned task of identifying cases of stubble burning and penalise farmers. "This time 898 cases have come to light out of which 456 cases were found to be fake. As compared to last year, straw burning in Kaithal has reduced by 60%," added Sharma.

'Straw burning has increased this year'

Farmers in Haryana and Punjab usually burn crop residue after harvesting paddy in autumn season in order to clear fields for summer harvest. Smoke from se two States travels to national capital each year, leading to a spike in air pollution level. According to Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), straw burning has increased this year. "If we see records from September 23 to October 21, fire incidents have increased from last year. So far, 3,466 incidents have taken place. Last year till October 21, it was 2,575," Anil Sood, Head, ACM division, PRSC, had said while speaking to news ncy ANI in Ludhiana.

READ | Sisodia asks Centre: When will stubble burning end in Punjab, Haryana

READ | Khattar encours farmers to refrain from stubble burning in Haryana

CM Kejriwal blames Punjab and Haryana State governments

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been continuously blaming State governments of Punjab and Haryana for t being able to reduce practice of stubble burning. Kejriwal on Friday said that Delhi w wants specific timelines from governments of Punjab, Haryana and Centre for stopping rampant stubble burning. Addressing a press conference, CM Kejriwal said, " only thing that changed in one month (September-October) is smoke flowing to Delhi due to stubble burning. people of Delhi are fed up of pollution and want specific timelines from Captain (Amarinder Singh) government (Punjab), Khattar government (Haryana) and Centre. Tell us by when can you make stubble burning stop."

READ | Haryana: Over 100 cases of stubble burning despite government ban

READ | Kejriwal to Hry, Punjab & Centre: Fix timeline to end stubble burning

(With ANI inputs)