Strict action against farm fire in Haryana, 14 farmers arrested
This year 653 cases of stubble burning have been reported in Haryana from 15 September to 20 October, whereas 621 cases were reported during the same period last year. The highest number of 18 FIRs against farmers in the case of stubble burning were registered in Kaithal. While 12 FIRs have been registered in Karnal, 10 in Sonipat and seven each in Jind and Panipat.
The government has increased strictness on farmers burning stubble in Haryana. 14 farmers were arrested in the case of stubble burning in the last two days. All these farmers are from the Kaithal district. This action was taken in various areas of Guhla-Chika, Pundri, Dhand and Kaithal city. Recently, the Haryana government issued an order to register FIR against farmers burning stubble in the fields and not to allow the selling of crops in the markets for two years. Now the arrest of farmers burning stubble has also started. On Sunday, a 'red entry' was made against 32 farmers in the state.
With the increase in air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the issue of stubble burning has started heating up. The Chief Secretary of Haryana has to answer on this matter in the Supreme Court on October 23. Even before this, the administration in Haryana showed strictness and registered cases against 57 farmers in two days and arrested 14 farmers. However, the farmers got bail shortly after the arrest. There is resentment among the farmers about such strictness against the incidents of stubble burning.
So far, 'Red Entry' has been registered against 368 farmers in Haryana for burning stubble. In the Kaithal district alone, 43 farmers have been red-entryed. These farmers will not be able to sell their produce in the mandis for the next two seasons. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 8.15 lakh has been collected by challaning 317 farmers. On Sunday, Haryana Chief Secretary TVS N Prasad held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners and other officials of all the districts and directed them to curb the incidents of stubble burning. He said that action will also be taken against those officers or employees who will be negligent in preventing the burning of stubble. In this regard, notices have been issued to some employees of the Agriculture Department.
653 incidents of stubble burning have been reported in Haryana from 15 September to 20 October, whereas 621 incidents were reported during the same period last year. The highest number of 20 FIRs against farmers for stubble burning were registered in Kaithal. While 12 FIRs have been registered in Karnal, 10 in Sonipat and seven each in Jind and Panipat. Kaithal has reported the highest number of stubble-burning incidents at 130. It is followed by Kurukshetra (90), Ambala (73) and Karnal (68).
Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has called the order to arrest farmers for burning stubble and not allowing their crops to be sold in mandis as an "anti-farmer step" and has demanded its immediate withdrawal. He also raised the demand for fixing MSP for stubble and buying it from farmers. Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the government should find a solution to the problem instead of taking harsh actions on farmers. Congress MPs Kumari Selja and Randeep Singh Surjewala have also strongly criticized the attitude of the BJP government regarding action against the farmers.
