Hoshiarpur/ Daljeet Ajnoha/Sept.23 : District Magistrate Hoshiarpur Komal Mittal has issued orders for harvesting paddy and not burning stubble in the district using the powers conferred under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023. In the order issued, she has imposed a complete ban on burning stubble in the district. This step has been taken keeping in mind the current paddy harvesting season, so that farmers can be saved from the problems in the mandis and damage to the environment.
According to the order issued by the District Magistrate, some combine machines are harvesting wet paddy at night, due to which the moisture content in the paddy is exceeding the parameters set by the government. Due to this, the procurement agencies are unable to buy paddy, due to which the farmers have to face a lot of trouble in the mandis. To solve this problem, the District Magistrate has imposed a complete ban on harvesting of paddy with combine machines from 7:00 pm to 10:00 am.
The District Magistrate said that the practice of burning the stubble left in the fields after harvesting paddy increases air pollution, which is harmful to health. Burning stubble not only spreads pollution, but also damages the nutrients of the soil and there is also a risk of fire in the surrounding areas.
Keeping in mind environmental protection, the Punjab Pollution Control Board has made it mandatory to install Super Straw Management System in all combine machines. Without this system, no combine machine will be able to harvest paddy. Strict action will be taken for not following these instructions. This order will remain in force till 19 November 2024.
