Bathinda:There is a 60 per cent decrease in cases of stubble burning in Punjab compared to last year. But, of late several such incidents have come to light from the Sangrur district. While the district administration is encouraging farmers to refrain from burning stubble, the latter are demanding Rs 200 per quintal as compensation.
Satellite images of stubble burning from September 15 to November 1 revealed that Sangrur ranks first among the districts in recording the highest number of cases. A total of 1,304 cases of stubble burning have been reported in Sangrur while 23 cases were registered in Rupnagar, 115 in SS Nagar, 55 in Malerkotla during this period.
The district administration has urged farmers to refrain from setting fire to the stubble and called them to a meeting. On the other hand, farmers are demanding Rs 200 per quintal for helping them to collect the stubble from the fields and manage it properly.
Stubble burning is considered to be the major cause of pollution in Punjab. Shingara Singh, district block president of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said if the stubble burning issue is to be eradicated then the government should provide good seeds and pesticides to the farmers.