Haryana govt to spend Rs 12 crore to avoid stubble burning

Burning stubble of wheat and paddy crops has become problematic for Haryana government as it causes environmental and health concerns, therefore the state government has decided that it will spend Rs 12 crore for the management of crop residue.

According to Chief Secretary DS Dhesi, who headed a meeting of the state-level sanctioning committee of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) in Chandigarh on Thursday, said Rs 12 crore was approved for various activities of crop residue management.

"This would include providing subsidy for purchase of Happy Seeders, Straw Balers and Straw Reapers," Dhesi said.

"During 2016-17, purchase of 1,462 Straw Reapers and 68 Happy Seeders was subsidised under RKVY. During 2017-18, provision has been made for the purchase of 2,433 Straw Reapers, 231 Happy Seeders and 38 Straw Balers," he added.

Both central and state governments, in recent years, have tried several steps -- from warning farmers to registering cases against them so as to create awareness on stubble-burning -- but to no avail.

Even the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come down heavily on stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana but farmers in both the states say they have few options available to avoid burning the residue.

The national capital has more worries to come in as farmers of Punjab have started burning stubble.

According to Wednesday’s recording prominent pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 has been marked in the poor category.

In Delhi PM 2.5 has considerably rose 11 times from September 22 to October 8.

The national capital has more reasons to worry has farmers in Haryana and Punjab are all set to burn their stubble.