Capt seeks Rs 100 per quintal to curb farm fires

Chandigarh, November 4

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today reiterated the demand for Rs 100 per quintal compensation for farmers from the Centre to shun stubble burning.

Talking to The Tribune, he said: “I also wrote to PM Narendra Modi seeking compensation to motivate farmers against burning paddy residue.” The amount will be sufficient for farmers to manage stubble without burning.

The entire exercise will cost around Rs 1,700 crore. “We would have made the payment had the state got resources. It is not economically viable for a majority of farmers to dispose of stubble under the existing conditions. More than 70 per cent of them have less than five acres of land and half of these own less than two acres,” the CM said. He lamented Modi government’s apathetic stance on the issue. — TNS