Muktsar district sees 81% dip in straw burning

The number of farm fires reported in Muktsar district this year so far are nearly 81 per cent less than the corresponding period last year. The district has witnessed 103 farm fires till Thursday evening. The count during the corresponding period last year was 528.

Meanwhile, 17 FIRs have been registered against the farmers for burning paddy stubble and 24 red entries made in the land records as well. A penalty of Rs 72,500 has been imposed and Rs 15,000 collected as fine till date.

Jaspal Singh, Executive Engineer, Punjab State Pollution Control Board, Muktsar, said, “We are levying penalty of Rs 2,500 for burning stubble on less than two acres, Rs 5,000 for burning straw on two-five acres and Rs 15,000 for burning stubble on more than five acres.”

Muktsar DC Rajesh Tripathi honoured some farmers for managing paddy residue through in-situ methods by visiting Sangrana and Sakkanwali villages here.