Stubble burning data mismatch at Malerkotla

Of 413 fires reported last year, 398 were non-existent, says DC Pallavi

Our Correspondent

Malerkotla, Updated At : 07:43 AM Oct 26, 2024 IST

DC Pallavi and SSP Gagan Ajit Singh visit Malerkotla to verify the stubble burning survey.

The discrepancy in stubble burning data in Malerkotla is not a new issue; there has long been a significant gap between the number of farm fires reported by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) and the actual incidents verified by government personnel. Last year, out of 413 fires reported by the PRSC, 398 were found to be non-existent. During the harvesting season for the 2023 Kharif crops, only 15 verified fires led to 11 police cases against wilful defaulters, as reported by the district administration.

Additionally, fines totalling Rs 40,000 were imposed on farmers for verified stubble burning incidents. Notably, all 25 reported cases of agricultural waste burning so far this season turned out to be non-existent. Nevertheless, a farmer from Binjoki village was recently booked for violating prohibition orders against burning agricultural waste, following an intervention by officials led by DC Pallavi and SSP Gagan Ajit Singh.

Despite some employee resistance to the administration’s efforts to enforce National Green Tribunal guidelines on stubble burning, the Malerkotla administration claims success in reducing such incidents. Most of the reported 25 cases lacked verification, as nodal officers did not confirm any incidents at the specified geo-tagged locations.

Under the current protocol, the PRSC’s Crop Residue Burning Information and Management System (CRBIMS) provides daily statistical reports to the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Special teams of nodal officers and cluster in-charges, supervised by their SDMs, are tasked with visiting the reported locations and updating information in real-time.

The Malerkotla DC, Dr Pallavi, commended the coordinated efforts of various departments in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward stubble burning. “Given the positive results so far, we have encouraged senior officials to continue information, education and communication (IEC) initiatives to raise awareness among all stakeholders about the importance of adhering to National Green Tribunal guidelines while also utilising data from the PRSC for further action in case of fire incidents,” she stated.