Mohali to act tough against farmers burning stubble
Tribune News Service
Mohali, September 29
Officials of the District Pollution Control Board would keep an eye on stubble burning activities, said Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan.
He said despite repeated warnings, some of the farmers continued to burn paddy straw, causing air pollution in the area. He said punitive action would be taken against those violating the directions of the state government. He said the district administration was working hard to prevent stubble burning by creating awareness among the farming community.
Dayalan said village level nodal officers as well as officials of the District Pollution Control Board would keep an eye on stubble burning activities. He said punitive action against those violating stubble burning prohibition orders entailed a fine of Rs2,500 to Rs15,000.
Dayalan said no combine harvester could be deployed to harvest paddy without installing super straw management system (SMS). He said violation of these directives/orders would result in criminal proceedings against the violator under the provisions of the Air (Pollution and Prevention) Act, 1981.
He said that the penalty could be Rs50,000 for first time violation, Rs75,000 for second time violation and Rs 1 lakh for third violation or each subsequent violation.
