HC seeks Punjab’s response on ‘punitive actions’ against farmers over stubble-burning
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab for its response on a petition challenging the alleged punitive measures being taken against farmers—such as red entries in revenue records and arms license cancellations—to deter stubble-burning.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal also gave time to the State counsel to obtain instructions and submit a formal response in the matter.
Filed by KS Raju Legal Trust, the public interest litigation cites a media report indicating that deputy commissioners and police officials have threatened farmers with stringent actions, including marking red entries in land records and revoking arms licences, in response to stubble-burning.
The petition says that the Punjab government introduced the ‘Action Plan for Control of Burning of Paddy Crop Residue in the State of Punjab’ in May 2023.
The action plan includes various measures such as “information, education and communication activities, providing machinery to farmers and groups at subsidised rates, compensation, setting up control rooms, marking red ink entries in Khasra Girdwari, and recovery of environmental compensation”.
According to the plea, officials are employing coercive tactics against farmers, including the cancellation of arms licences. The petition argues that such actions infringe upon citizens' rights under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which ensures the freedom to practise any profession or carry out any occupation, trade or business.
The petitioner, as such, has asked the state government to adopt lawful and non-coercive measures to address the stubble-burning issue, rather than resorting to punitive actions against the farmers.
