Stubble-burning: NGT notice to Centre over aid to state

Chandigarh, October 14
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sent notices to the Union Environment and Agriculture Ministries seeking details of the financial support sought by Punjab Government to incentivise its farmers against stubble-burning.
Earlier this month, Punjab had sought Rs 2,000 crore as financial help from the Centre to support its farmers by removing paddy straw from the fields to avoid its burning.
“What kind of help is being extended to the Punjab Government to help them incentivise the farmers against stubble-burning,” it asked and sought an explanation by Tuesday.
The green panel, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, today heard several farmers from Punjab and questioned them about the steps taken by the state to deal with the problem in their village, including providing machinery.
Farmer leaders urged the tribunal to make it binding on the government to have remedial measures in place by the next season.
The tribunal directed the Punjab Government to submit a list of power plants or other industries which might use crop residue and its value addition to soil health if ploughed back.
It also sought a reply from the NTPC on why it could not take residue from the farmers under its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
BKU chief Balbir Singh Rajewal, told the panel that given the time available before the wheat sowing began, nothing much could be achieved at this stage. The farmers would be grateful if the measures advocated by the state to deal with the menace become a reality even by the next season, he pointed out.
“But till then, the state was just giving vague statements before the tribunal. The officials know that farmers presently have no option but to set the residue ablaze. Does the state have the wherewithal to collect fines from lakhs of defaulting farmers and what if there is a law and order problem,” he questioned.