Burning crop residue in the open is a major problem being faced in Haryana state, spreading pollution in the atmosphere extremely harmful for health of the residents. In-spite of all efforts by the state government ,Haryana state has witnessed nearly three times increase in paddy crop waste burning cases this year. Information reveals that the state has recorded more than 542 crop residue burning cases so far in which the farmers accused of burning crop residue in the open were fined over Rs 10 lakh, as compared to 168 cases reported last year.
Among 10 top towns in Haryana state witnessed maximum number of crop residue burning cases include Fatehabd district recorded 80 cases as cmpared to 11 cases last year followed by 79 cases reported in Ambala district as compared to 17 burning cases reported last year, 67 burning cases reported in Kurukshetra district as compared to 45 burning cases reported last year, 59 burning cases in Jind district as compared to 17 burning cases reported last year, 51 cases in Kaithal district as compared to 26 burning cases last year , 42 cases each in Sonipat and Yamunanagar districts as compared to two cases each last year, 39 crop residue burning cases in Karnal district as compared to 34 burning cases reported last year, 24 cases in Palwal district as compared to only one burning case last year and 14 cases in Panipat district as compared to three cases reported in the previous year.
It was shocking, paddy crop residue was illegally burnt in open this Sunday at 127 places as per information by sattelite pictures which revealed the carelessness of the concerned agriculture department staff,in-spite of all efforts and vigilance by the state government as a result the services of two employees were also suspended by the state government according to an information. Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal while talking to media persons unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle crop residue management in the state, marking a significant step while addressing a persistent environmental concern.
During a virtual meeting of the High-Level Task Force for Management of Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR, chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Sanjeev Kaushal Haryana Chief Secretary said that the state government has taken a momentous step towards harnessing paddy straw for sustainable energy and eliminating crop residue burning by 2027. This groundbreaking move is marked by the introduction of the Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy 2023, a significant stride in promoting efficient paddy straw utilization and discouraging harmful residue burning. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatter expressed deep concern over increasing pollution by burning crop reesid ue in NCR and Delhi. Recently, a high level meeting was organized by P.K. Misra Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in which chief secretaries of Haryana, Punjab, U.P and Rajasthan states were also present along with senior officials of Pollution Control Board to discuss this vital issue of burning crop residue and spreading pollution.
Dr. MM Kutty President of Pollution Control Board disclosed that out of 240 industrial areas in Delhi and NCR 211 has already been shifted to use of CNG, apart from total number of 7759 industrial unit functioning in NCR – Delhi 7449 industrial units have been changed to the alternate neat and safe fuel systems. He said that in the same way e-buses and other e-vehicles have been introduced in Delhi and NCR where as many as 4.12 lakh e-vehicles are registered at present, besides every care is being taken for safe collection and storage of waste material in the area.
