Govt to act tough against violators

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has decided to deal strictly with those farmers who will indulge in stubble burning after harvesting their crop this season.

State chief secretary DS Dhesi has directed officials concerned to run a special campaign to generate awareness among people against burning stubble, and deal strictly with those found doing so.

Besides, a biomass policy is being framed by the government which will be implemented soon.

Dhesi was presiding over a meeting with deputy commissioners and district officers of various departments, including agriculture and farmers’ welfare, Environment and Pollution Control Board, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, animal husbandry and dairying, and revenue, through video-conferencing, here on Thursday.

The Haryana Space Applications Centre , Hisar, will start giving satellite reports regarding pollution level from Friday.

Dhesi said for the first time assistance of sarpanches of gram panchayats will be sought to make people aware about the disadvantages of burning crop stubble, and they would be made answerable. Sub-divisional officers (SDOS), patwaris and gram sachivs would be made answerable in their respective areas.

Strict action will be initiated against SDOS, patwaris and gram sachivs who fail to report cases of burning crop stubble .