Take back anti-farmer decision: Hooda to govt

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the government should fix MSP for stubble and buy it from farmers. Describing the action taken by the government against farmers for burning stubble as completely condemnable, he said the government should take back this anti-farmer decision.

“Farmers take such steps under compulsion. Instead of imposing fine on farmers, filing FIRs against them and red-listing them, the government should work on a solution to this. Many things can be made by buying stubble, such as fuel, bio-thermocol, ethanol, bio-bitumen, pallets, pulp, fertiliser, bricks and it can also be used for electricity production,” he said.

Answering questions from mediapersons at his residence, Hooda said stubble burning has a very small share in pollution. “The real cause of pollution is factories, vehicles and dust. Therefore, the government should dispose of the stubble or buy the stubble from farmers. The machines that the government is talking about providing for the disposal of stubble are not proving to be effective. The number of machines are also very less. Especially, small farmers are unable to use those,” he added.

“Machines have to be called in the field several times for a single task. First, different machines have to be called to cut the paddy residue, then to collect it and then to make bales. After that, it also takes a long time to lift it. By then, the time for sowing the next crop is over. The government needs to pay attention to these practical aspects so that the real problem of the farmer can be understood,” he noted.

Earlier, a delegation of farmers met him and gave a memorandum. Hooda said the government should buy paddy at the Rs 3,100 per quintal, as it had promised.

Find solution

Farmers take such steps under compulsion. Instead of imposing fine on farmers, filing FIRs against them and red-listing them, the government should work on a solution to this. — Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress leader