‘No stubble burning’ vans to sensitise farmers

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 17

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit here today flagged off two vans to create awareness among farmers on stubble burning and its ill-effects.

The move follows as the authorities concerned in the government, both in the state and at the Centre, have been finding it tough to counter the menace of crop-residue burning. The smoke emanating from stubble fire has been resulting in smog not only in Punjab, but also in the National Capital Region.

The initiative has been launched by the Patiala Regional Office of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The awareness vans, affixed with ‘No stubble burning’ banners, are equipped with an audio system to sensitise the farmers of Patiala district about the practice.

“These vans will make farmers aware of the harmful effects of burning wheat residue. The campaign will cover all villages of the district,” said the Deputy Commissioner. He stressed encouraging the farmers to completely do away with stubble burning was the need of the hour.

Punjab produces about 17 to 18 million tonne of rice and wheat straw and three-fourth of this residue is disposed of on the fields itself.