CAPT ASKS MODI TO CONVENE MEETING OF CHIEF MINISTERS
PROBLEM THAT IS SCIENTIFIC AND ECONOMIC CAN’T BE TACKLED THROUGH OTHER MEANS, HE SAYS IN LETTER
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.
in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, recognising that they contribute to poor air quality in Delhi and the NCR in 2015, but implementing the order has turned out to be a difficult task.
There has been vigorous pushback from farmers, who find themselves without a viable alternative to get rid of the crop residue from the Kharif season. It is important for them to clear their fields quickly to be able to sow crops for the next season.
NHRC NOTICES
NEWDELHI:TAKING suo motu cognisance of several media reports highlighting the life-threatening pollution in Delhi-ncr, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report within two weeks from ministries and Delhi, Haryana and Punjab about steps taken and proposed. Notices have been issued to secretaries of the Union ministry of environment; health; and road transport, along with chief secretaries of the states.