Stubble burning is farmers’ compulsion, not hobby: BKU
Ferozepur October 9, 2018: The stubble burning by the farmers after harvesting is their compulsion and not a hobby, said Darshan Singh Bhala, spokesman of Bharti Kisan Union.
Bharti Kisan Union Lakhowal members today gathered at Saragarhi Gurudawara to discuss the burning issue of stubble burning.
A similar demand has also been made by Krantikari Kissan Union Punjab and Bharti Kisan Union Dakoda on a call fromAll India Farmers Sangharsh Coordination Committee and submitted a memorandum to the government demanding bonus to dispose of the stubble.
Added here, the Punjab Government has made it mandatory for the state’s farmers to attach a special machine to their self-propelled combine harvesters to facilitate the management of crop residue, an alternative to the pollution-causing practice of paddy straw burning. The burning of paddy stubble following harvesting in October-November in Punjab and Haryana has become a major source of air pollution, which affects all of north India, with Delhi being the worst-hit.
In fact, the extent of the problem has increased over the years as harvesting of wheat and paddy has become almost entirely mechanized using a combined harvester. The harvester leaves behind stubble of straw, which farmers choose to burn to prepare the fields for the next crop.
A key focus of the meeting by the union demanded was that according to the Green Tribunal rules, the government should provide the agriculture equipment to prevent stubble burning by forming the Cooperative Societies or panchayat committees or by giving cash subsidy to the small farmers.
The union leaders also demanded from the government should come forward to help the farmers to given Rs.200 per qtl bonus or Rs.6,000 per acre to dispose of the stubble.
Warning the government, they said, in case these demands are not met, they will be left with no alternative except to burn the stubble in the fields itself.
