Haryana: 133 farmers penalised for burning stubble in Kaithal

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

'Straw burning in Kaithal has reduced by 60%'

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

'Straw burning has increased this year'

Farmers in Haryana and Punjab usually burn the crop residue after harvesting paddy in the autumn season in order to clear the fields for the summer harvest. Smoke from these two States travels to the national capital each year, leading to a spike in the air pollution level. According to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), straw burning has increased this year. "If we see the records from September 23 to October 21, the 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 agency ANI in Ludhiana.

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

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

CM Kejriwal blames Punjab and Haryana State governments

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been continuously blaming the State governments of Punjab and Haryana for not being able to reduce the practice of stubble burning. Kejriwal on Friday said that Delhi now wants specific timelines from the governments of Punjab, Haryana and the Centre for stopping rampant stubble burning. Addressing a press conference, CM Kejriwal said, "The only thing that changed in one month (September-October) is smoke flowing to Delhi due to stubble burning. The people of Delhi are fed up of pollution and want specific timelines from the Captain (Amarinder Singh) government (Punjab), Khattar government (Haryana) and the 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)