Centre harassing farmers: Kumari Selja on double fine for stubble burning

Sirsa MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja today said instead of working in the interest of the farmers, the BJP government was focused on oppressing and exploiting them.

“Farmers are being fined and cases are being registered against them at various places. On the one hand, farmers are facing hardships in the market, and on the other, the Central Government has now decided to double the fine for stubble burning. The Congress condemns this decision by the Centre,” she said.

Govt can't shirk its responsibility

The government should create a system so that farmers do not have to burn stubble. If the government wishes, it can set up stubble purchasing centres at the district level and dispose it of at its own level. The government cannot shirk its responsibility by imposing fines on those who burn stubble or by registering cases against them. Kumari Selja, Sirsa MP

She added, “The government should encourage farmers instead of harassing them so that they can find alternatives to increase their income without burning crop residue.” In a statement released to the media, Selja said farmers were struggling for their rights, and 750 farmers had lost their lives in this struggle.

She said stubble burning was not a new issue; it had been happening for years. “There is no doubt that stubble burning increases air pollution. The government should create a system so that farmers do not have to burn stubble. If the government wishes, it can set up stubble purchasing centres at the district level and dispose it of at its own level. The government cannot shirk its responsibility by imposing fines on those who burn stubble or by registering cases against them.”

Following strict remarks from the Supreme Court on the issue of air pollution caused by stubble burning, the Central Government has now taken out its frustration on farmers by deciding to double the fine for stubble burning, she claimed.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Environment issued a notification to double the penalty amount. Now, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on landowners with less than two acres, Rs10,000 for two to five acres, and Rs 30,000 for those with more than five acres. The governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi will be required to implement these rules.