Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India]: Appealing to farmers to refrain from burning stubble, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated on Wednesday that stubble burning harms their health and highlighted that the government has provided numerous machines with subsidies.
“We appeal to farmers not to burn stubble, as it harms both the environment and public health. The government has made available various machines at subsidised rates. Farmers can also profit by selling stubble, and we encourage them to explore these options,” the Haryana CM said.
On Tuesday, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana noted that 273 FIRs related to stubble burning have been registered in the state so far.
He further mentioned that satellite data captured 857 fire incidents, of which only 458 were agricultural fires.
“According to satellite data, 857 fire incidents were detected, with only 458 being agricultural fires. So far, 273 FIRs have been registered,” he said.
Rana also remarked that stubble-burning cases are decreasing in the state due to government measures.
“Each year, the number of stubble burning cases in Haryana declines, as we deploy machinery and mobilise our administrative resources. Haryana’s farmers increasingly recognise that using stubble in fields can enhance crop yields,” he added.
On October 26, farmers protested against police actions taken over stubble burning, staging a “chakka jam” and also demanding assured paddy procurement.
On October 23, the Supreme Court criticised the Haryana and Punjab governments for failing to address stubble burning, emphasising that all citizens have a fundamental right to live in a clean, pollution-free environment.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih also expressed strong disapproval towards the Punjab and Haryana governments for not prosecuting individuals responsible for stubble burning and for merely collecting nominal fines in certain cases.
The bench stated that, had the Punjab and Haryana governments shown genuine commitment to enforcing the law, there would have been at least one prosecution.