Stubble Burning: Administration imposes environmental compensation worth Rs. 2.82 lakh in 118 cases after confirmation 

Ludhiana, November 5, 2023: Adopting a tough stance against the stubble burning practices, District Administration Ludhiana has imposed an environmental compensation worth Rs. 2,82,500 in as many as 118 cases after a confirmation report from the field staff. A total of 634 cases were reported so far of which farm fire was confirmed in cases after physical verification by the officials concerned.
 
Divulging the details, Deputy Commissioner Surbahi Malik said that a multi-pronged strategy was being adopted by the authorities to curb such instances ranging from IEC campaign to enforcement drive. So far environmental compensation has been imposed in 118 cases after field visit, she said adding that the physical verification in 16 cases is pending and environmental compensation would be imposed in case of stubble burning was confirmed in any of the incidents.
 
Malik further appealed to the peasantry to not to resort to the stubble burning practices as the smog from the fire can aggravate problems for the asthma patients who were already suffering from compromised immune systems. Giving more information, the DC said that in Jagraon environmental compensation was imposed in 94 cases, in Ludhiana west ten cases, in Raikot in 12 cases while in Samrala tehsil the environmental compensation has been imposed in two cases.
 
The deputy commissioner asked officials to keep a close tab over the farm fire incidents by ensuring physical verification in each case. The DC further added that a multi-pronged strategy was being adopted by the administration to sensitize farmers to shun stubble burning practices. She also said that farmers’ awareness camps were also being held across the district where demonstration on direct sowing techniques is being given besides distribution of subsidized seeds of alternative crops.
 
Pointing out further, the Deputy Commissioner also said that daily monitoring of farm fire incidents was being ensured through an elaborate mechanism where field officials make physical verification of each incident reported. Besides, awareness activities were being undertaken by the cooperative department, agriculture department and rural development & panchayat department at village level. The team members are sensitizing farmers towards the benefit of direct sowing techniques.
 
Meanwhile, Ludhiana Administration teams have been on forefront to tackle farm fire incidents with official teams along with fire brigades reached on-the-spot at several places and controlled such incidents. Teams acted swiftly in several locations including Lalori Khurd, Payal, Kuba, Sidhwan Bait, Urna, Mushkabad, Chapra, Mutton, Kotla Bahri, Giddhri, Dhindsa, Dhanda, Nasrali, Bhaini Arabian, Mehpur, Madnipur, Bel Kalan, Sihari, Kuhli Kalan, Hedon, Hissowal, Sudhar, Aligarh, Ghudani Khurd, Doraha, Kakrala Kalan, Dhanda, Bairsal Kalan, Khanpur, Bhamipura, Khanpur, Issru, Bilaspur, Sohian, and Chaunkiman wherein they doused the fire immediately.