Poll code in place, farmers’ wait for stubble management machines gets longer

Over 500 societies/individuals have got the approval for the purchase of stubble management machines on the subsidised rate across Kapurthala amid the government’s special push for farmers not to burn stubble this year.

The process is stalled due to the code of conduct in view of the upcoming October 15 panchayat poll. Farmers say the poll code coincides with the paddy harvest season. On September 30, farmers also met DC Amit Panchal on the issue.

The DC said 5,550 machines available at the district level for the paddy management were enough as of now and more will be sanctioned soon.

With the government regulating stubble burning incidents this year, there is a dip in incidents until now.

Progressive farmers also term the provision of machines at the subsidised rate a laudable step. While large-scale harvest of paddy is yet to start in Jalandhar and Sultanpur Lodhi at Kapurthala, the process has already begun. At Kapurthala, 16 farm fires have been reported so far.

Farmers said the poll code is the only snag in getting machines in time.

Paramjit Singh, a Baupur progressive farmer, who hasn’t burnt stubble for years, said, “We as a group had applied for machines two-and-half-months ago and again a month ago. We were told that the process will be cleared after the poll code is lifted. But till then, it will be too late as this is the peak season for paddy harvest.”

Chief Agricultural Officer Balbir Chand said, “This year, we have already sanctioned 540 machines and, of these, 192 machines have already been procured by farmers/societies. Farmers can purchase these machines within 14 days of the date of sanction.”

The sanction and procurement of machines can only be resumed after the poll code is lifted, he added.

Panchal said, “There are 5,550 machines already operational on individual/group basis in the district. My officials, SDM and farm officers have been reviewing the scenario but no such issue has come to our notice. However, I’ll direct the the Chief Agricultural Officer to look into the matter.”