Take stern action against errant farmers: Keshni

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief secretary Keshni Anand Arora on Monday directed the deputy commissioners and district officers to take strict action against those indulging in stubble burning.

Presiding over a meeting with the officials through video conferencing, the chief secretary directed them to carry out intensive campaign to prevent farm fires and control the rising air pollution. “The officers should immediately reach the stubble burning spots and take strict action,” said Arora, while asking DCs to furnish a report of the FIRs filed against the farmers involved in stubble burning.

She said fire brigade should reach the spot at the earliest, and its expense should be charged to the farmers. The chief secretary said gram sabhas should hold meetings in next two to three days to apprise the farmers about its ill effects and condemn the practice.

“Village secretaries, patwaris and numberdars should also be involved in the process to improve stubble management,” said Arora, adding that directions have been given by chief minister Manohar Lal Khatar to take action against erring officials and employees who failed to pay attention towards the environmental protection.

She directed officials to ensure that harvesters were connected to the straw management system besides keeping a check on pollution caused by construction, brick kilns, damaged roads, stubble, garbage, vehicle jams and illegal parking.

The DCs should ensure that employees of the city councils and municipalities do not burn garbage anywhere in the city. If found guilty, strict action will be taken against them, she added.