Tribune impact: Senior functionaries to 'personally' verify ‘No Crop Fire Found’ cases
Taking cognisance of the data mismatch pertaining to stubble burning at Malerkotla, the government has revised the protocol for confirming ‘No Crop Burning Found’ status for cases reported by the Punjab Remote Sensing Agency.
Each such case will now be personally verified either by the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, SDM, Executive Magistrate, Block Development Panchayat Officer, Block Agriculture Officer, Sub-Inspector, SHO or the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) observer.
The directions were issued by the Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment on Friday, which were further circulated by the Malerkotla ADC.
“Further, it is also informed that the Secretary, Science, Technology and Environment, vide letter number 10/615/2024-STE2/743 dated 25.10.2024 (has issued orders), which are reproduced as under,” reads a communication sent to all government officials responsible for the implementation of guidelines of the National Green Tribunal on stubble burning.
The fire incidents are reported by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) on a daily basis. As per the standard operating procedure, each case is verified within 24 hours of being reported.
“As it has been observed that there have been many cases being reported in the districts as ‘No Crop Burning Found’, henceforth, in order to have a confirmation of each case reported by the PRSC, the following should be ensured — each such case should have been personally verified, either by the DC or the ADC or the SDM, or the Executive Magistrate or the BDPO or the Block Agriculture Officer or the Sub-Inspector or the SHO of the area or the CAQM observer,” reads the circular.
It is further directed by the ADC that each case of "No Crop Burning Found" should be "personally" verified and that a report with proof should be available with the DC.
All other cases, which are not verified according to the latest protocol, will be treated as fire incidents requiring action as per the instructions of the Supreme Court /NGT/CAQM, the officials have been advised.
The ADC has cautioned that any failure on the part of the team to perform its duties shall invite penal action, as mentioned in the order of the CAQM.
The Government of Punjab and the CAQM have been issuing directions from time to time to prevent stubble burning cases.
Designated government personnel have been authorised to file a complaint/prosecution before a jurisdictional judicial magistrate, in case of inaction in respect of officials, including nodal officers and supervisory officers at various levels and SHOs responsible for enforcement towards ensuring elimination of stubble burning in their jurisdiction.
With only one case for attempting to set agricultural waste on fire during the ensuing year, 398 of 413 fires reported by the PRSC last year were found ‘No Crop Fire Found’ cases.
