Stubble burning goes unchecked as authorities fail to take action
KURUKSHETRA: Despite repeated warnings, imposition of fine, registration of cases and suspension of officials, stubble burning continues unabated in the region, especially in the paddy belt of Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts.
The farmers, who are ignoring warnings and paying fine to the authorities, are of the view that there is no alternative to burning to get rid of tonnes of paddy residue, which is around 20 quintal for every acre of paddy.
Farmers even have to spend ₹500 to ₹800 per acre on hiring straw reaper to cut the stubble so that it could be burnt.
“We are aware that stubble burning is harming our environment and health, but what can we do as there is no support from the government to utilise thecrop residue for other purposes”, said Sukhwant Singh, a farmer of Kurukshetra district.
Asked about the alternatives he said, “The paper mills can purchase it. We are even ready to pay ₹1,000 per acre to the government along with this residue, if they lift it from our fields so that we can sow wheat in time.”
Experts say this flammable waste can also be used for power generation if the government set up such power plants in rural areas. Officials in Kurukshetra district administration said a power plant of 5MW can consume paddy waste up to about 1 lakh acres in six months.
“This can help resolve the issue and such plants should be set up in the public private partnership,” said Kurukshetra deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria.
“Such plants are already working in several sugarmills of the state and setting up of more plants will also help in meeting the increasing demand of power,” she added.
A senior official of the Haryana government, who did not wish to be identified, alleged that the government did not take any serious steps to solve this issue permanently. “The government should take steps to ensure availability of straw-baling machines, which cost ₹14 lakh each.
The Haryana government is providing subsidy of only ₹1 lakh on such machines whereas the Punjab government was giving 50% subsidy,” said the official, while adding that this was enough to prove how serious was the government to solve this problem.
“If the government provides these machines at cheaper rates, farmers will be able to purchase these. Industrialists are ready to buy the baled straw of one acre at ₹3,000,” he added.