Crackdown on stubble burning: 232 farmers face red entries, penalties
In response to an increase in stubble-burning incidents, Haryana has informed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) that it has started making “red entries” against farmers involved in the practice. As of October 14, red entries have been recorded against 232 farmers. It is for the first time that the state has taken this action.
A meeting regarding enforcement measures with CAQM was held on October 14, which was attended by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Ambala, Jind, and Fatehabad, along with top Agricultural Department officials. The DCs from nine districts of Punjab were also present.
According to the Haryana Agriculture Department, farmers facing red entries will be ineligible for gate passes in the next crop cycle, preventing them from selling their produce. Additionally, fines amounting to Rs 5.95 lakh have been imposed across the 232 cases. The highest number of challans were issued in Kurukshetra, with 45 cases resulting in Rs 1.12 lakh in fines. Karnal followed with 37 challans and a Rs 1 lakh fine, while Kaithal and Jind each reported 33 challans with fines of Rs 82,500. Ambala saw 24 challans with Rs 60,000 in fines.
The state has also registered 18 FIRs against farmers till October 14.
During the CAQM meeting, Haryana’s Agriculture Department reported that 468 fire incidents were detected between September 15 and October 13, as per ISRO protocol. However, in 173 cases, no fires were found on the ground, and in four cases, the fires were on non-agricultural land or were from garbage burning. In 43 cases, verification is still ongoing. This suggests that satellite data was inaccurate in over 41% of cases.
Haryana has deployed 3,224 nodal officers to prevent stubble burning. The state has also provided nearly 1 lakh Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines on subsidy to farmers since 2018-19. Additionally, an incentive of Rs 1,000 per acre is being offered for using CRM machines, while Rs 500 per acre is provided for transporting paddy crop residue to cowsheds.
According to fresh satellite data, 42 active fire incidents were detected in Haryana on October 15, bringing the cumulative figure to 559 this season, surpassing last year’s total of 542 incidents and 2022’s figure of 168 incidents.
Highest challans in Kurukshetra
- The highest number of challans were issued in Kurukshetra, with 45 cases resulting in Rs 1.12 lakh in fines
- Karnal followed with 37 challans and a Rs 1 lakh fine, while Kaithal and Jind each reported 33 challans with fines of Rs 82,500
- Ambala saw 24 challans with Rs 60,000 in penalties
