Stubble-burning spikes across state

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 10

The number of stubble-burning cases in Punjab is on the rise as paddy growers continue to defy the ban. 

As many as 10,000 cases of stubble-burning have come to the fore in the last five days, taking the total figure to 37,928. Till November 4, the state had recorded 26,237 cases but the number shot up in the last couple of days. On November 8, a day after Diwali, 4,241 cases were reported in a single day.

However, the number of cases is comparatively less as compared to the last year in the corresponding period. In 2017, 39,886 cases of stubble-burning were recorded till November 8. A total of 43,660 incidents of stubble-burning were recorded in 2017 and 80,879 in 2016.

Farmers blamed the state government for paucity of time as the window period for managing the paddy crop residue, in effect, got shortened by at least 10 days because of delayed paddy harvesting due to untimely rains last month.

As there is limited time available with the farmers for sowing the next crop, they find burning as an easy option to dispose of the stubble.

In Patiala, 2,896 cases of stubble-burning have been recorded till date. However, only 296 farmers have been challaned in the district so far which amounts to just 10.22 per cent of the total violations.

Jagmohan Singh, general secretary, BKU-Dakaunda, said, “The farmer community is a soft target. That’s why all the blame for air pollution is being put on the farmers. Nobody is talking about the government’s failure to find any viable option to stubble-burning.”

Another farmer said, “Burning the paddy is the only option we are left with because any delay in sowing wheat crop will lead to a drop in yield and it will cause a financial loss to farmers.”

Farming experts said the best way to manage the crop residue was to award a bonus as compensation to the farmers for the management of paddy straw.

Kahan Singh Pannu, State Nodal Officer, said, “There is a sudden rise in the number of cases in the last three to four days. However, the air quality index of the state is still in the moderate zone because the area under stubble-burning has reduced as compared to the last year.”

10,000 cases in 5 days

• As many as 10,000 cases of stubble-burning have come to the fore in the last five days, taking the total figure to 37,928
• Till November 4, the state had recorded 26,237 cases but the number shot up in the last couple of days 
• On November 8, a day after Diwali, 4,241 cases were reported in a single day