Khattar encourages farmers to refrain from stubble burning in Haryana

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday, November 1, instructed the concerned officers to encourage farmers to refrain from burning crop residue and also educate them about other options for the management of crop residue in a bid to move towards a cleaner environment. A statement from the Chief Minister's office said that Khattar was informed about the 34 per cent reduction in stubble burning that was recorded in the state up to October 22, as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. 

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A cash reward of Rs 1,000 for reporting stubble burning incidents

The Chief Minister directed officers of the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department to visit 10 villages where maximum incidents crop residue burning has been reported and ascertain the reason behind it, the statement said. A cash reward of Rs 1,000 has also been announced to those who would report incidents of stubble burning in their area and their identity would be kept hidden, said the statement.

Khattar also said that discussions should be held on providing the latest instruments to farmers and the benefits of various schemes for encouraging them to sell their crop residue and adopt the crop residue management. He also directed the Deputy Commissioners to take stringent measures to prohibit the burning of crop residue in their respective districts.

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Delhi's air quality deteriorating

It was earlier reported that over 100 cases of stubble burning were reported in Haryana's Sirsa. The practise continues despite the efforts of the Haryana government to dissuade farmers from burning crop residue. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has often blamed the neighbouring states such as Punjab and Haryana for the cause of deteriorating air quality in the national capital. Kejriwal has also urged the governments of Punjab and Haryana to provide facilities to their farmers so that they don't have to burn stubble. The Delhi government issued a circular on Wednesday, October 29, advising schools to ensure that no outdoor activities are organized amidst the alarming air pollution level in the national capital. Prior to the circular, schools in the national capital had also advised the parents to send their children to classes after wearing masks. Some of the schools have also shifted their morning assembly indoors to avoid the health hazards from the pollution.

(With agency inputs)

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