NGT asks 4 states to show cases of farmers getting incentive

STUBBLE BURNING

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to submit before it specific cases of small farmers being given incentive to desist them from burning crop residue in a bid to prevent air pollution.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the four northern states to submit within three weeks at least 10 such cases.

“The Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries and Special Secretary, of State of Punjab, State of Rajasthan, State of Uttar Pradesh and State of Haryana respectively are present.

“They assure the tribunal that within three weeks from today, they would bring at least 10 cases of preferably marginal farmers to provide due incentive, help and means to them, so that they do not follow traditional methodology of crop residue burning in the field itself.

“Besides taking general steps in accordance to the order of the tribunal that list of these 10 cases from a particular village or area, falls in their jurisdiction, be placed before the tribunal, with complete documentation with regard to delivery and utilisation of the agricultural residue in accordance,” the bench said. The direction came after a group of farmers alleged that the Punjab government was not taking any effective steps on the issue except passing orders and not providing infrastructure or any kind of benefits to them. The matter is fixed for hearing on October 4.The green panel had earlier rapped the four northern states for not submitting action plans to prevent pollution emanating from crop burning after the harvest season.