-SATISH HANDA
In-spite of repeated appeals as well as warnings by the state government not to burn paddy or wheat crop wastes in the agriculture field by the farmers spreading pollution in the atmosphere at the time when people are suffering from corona epidemic outbreak, several cases of violating directions in Haryana state has been detected in merely four to five days. According to information, 120 complaints of fires due to burning crop waste has been reported in the state detected with the help of satellite system developed by the state government and action taken against the violators. Information reveals that 15 cases of fire burning paddy crop waste were detected on September 25, 2020 followed by six complaints of fire received on September 26, 34 complaints of fire received on September 27, 26 complaints of fire received on September 28 and 39 complaints of fire received on September 29.
According to Punjab and Haryana High Court directions, burning crop wastes in the agriculture field is a serious offence liable for action including heavy fine and FIR should be registered with the police against those violating directions in case amount of fine not paid by the violator. According to state agriculture department, fire in the agriculture field due to burning crop wastes not only damages land, reduces moisture in the soil as well as spread pollution in the atmosphere harming health of people residing in surrounding areas. Haryana state government has developed a system in every district across the state to trace out such cases of fires and send information to Haryana Space Application Centre quickly through Watts up and information passed to concerned district administration for immediate action against the violator.
Information reveals, stern action is being taken by the district administration against farmers violating directions. As many as 120 cases of fire due to burning paddy crop wastes were reported in the state till September 30, 2020 which include maximum number of 29 cases of fire reported at CM city Karnal, 23 cases of fire reported at Kurukshetra, 17 cases of fire reported at Kaithal, 14 cases of fire reported each at Ambala and Fatehabad and four cases of fire reported at Hisar district.
