CAPT ASKS MODI TO CONVENE MEETING OF CHIEF MINISTERS

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Thursday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a meeting of chief ministers of states affected due to paddy straw burning with Union ministers for agriculture, food and environment to find a joint solution for the problem of smog.

Reiterating his request of on July 5, the CM has also sought Modi’s intervention to check stubble burning by providing a bonus of ₹100 per quintal as incentive to compensate farmers for managing the crop residue scientifically.

Amarinder pointed out that most of North India, including the national capital, New Delhi, is in the throes of a pollution crisis, induced largely by burning of paddy straw in areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The higher courts of the country and the National Green Tribunal have also taken cognisance of the matter, he observed.

“However, what is probably not being understood in proper perspective is that a problem which is essentially scientific and economic cannot be tackled through other means,” the chief minister added.

“Scientific management and disposal of paddy straw entails significant cost for the farmer and he naturally prefers the cheaper solution,” Amarinder said.

PROBLEM THAT IS SCIENTIFIC AND ECONOMIC CAN’T BE TACKLED THROUGH OTHER MEANS, HE SAYS IN LETTER