'Are factories not contributing to pollution?': Punjab farmers slam government amid strict stubble burning penalties
PTC News Desk: Punjab farmers slammed the government over strict stubble-burning penalties, claiming that burning the stubble is their compulsion. They urged the government to find a permanent solution for stubble burning.
This follows an incident of stubble burning reported in Nehian Wala village, Bathinda on Sunday.
Farmer Ram Singh shared his concerns, saying, "The government should find a permanent solution to prevent incidents of stubble burning. Burning stubble is our compulsion. The government is not providing a solution; instead, cases are being filed against farmers. They constantly blame farmers for pollution. Are there no factories or industries in Delhi or Punjab? Are they not contributing to pollution?"
Earlier on Sunday, farmer leader Suresh Koth in Ambala condemned the Haryana government's strict measures against stubble burning, warning that they could fuel further unrest among farmers. The government has enforced stringent punishments, such as filing FIRs against farmers who burn stubble and denying them the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
During a visit to the grain market in Ambala, Koth expressed dissatisfaction with the government's behaviour, claiming that if the administration provided stubble management machines in every village, farmers would stop burning stubble. He stated that industries, not farmers, are mostly responsible for pollution, and urged the government to address the underlying problems rather than penalising farmers.
"The farmers' contribution to pollution is only 3 to 4%. Industries and vehicles cause the majority of pollution. We ask the government not to be so dictatorial towards the farmers. Stubble burning happens whenever farmers do not have access to machinery. The World Bank sends large sums of money for machines, which are not distributed to farmers. The farmers will not endure this dictatorship. We will not pay a single penny of penalties," Koth stated.
- ANI
