New Delhi:Supreme Court-mandated pollution watchdog Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Wednesday submitted its report to the apex court on Punjab-Haryana stubble burning.
Bhure Lal chairperson of EPCA said, "EPCA has submitted a report to Supreme court on Wednesday on Punjab-Haryana Stubble burning. Whatever has been done on the ground to implement the directions of the Supreme Court has been apprised to the state governments. We have enumerated arrangements made concerning the distribution of tools, subsidy disbursed, and infrastructure to enable the farmers to convert it into the bale, among other things."
EPCA has also written to the chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that burning does not take place as directed by the apex court.
The letter indicates the need to ensure small and marginal farmers have access to the mechanism which has been provided to Custom Hiring Centers (CHC) at affordable rates or free of cost.
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However, the authority has raised concern that the "rate for the rental which is been waived off is not apparent. The cost of operation is also not laid down" and urges the states to ensure this for the benefits of the farmers.