Farmers Movement Archive

Rage over agri laws fanning farm fires

Ludhiana: Farmers’ anger over Centre not paying heed to their suggestions for agriculture laws is costing the environment dear. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data showed a huge jump in stubble burning cases in the district this year. The stubble collectors said their collections dropped substantially as sizeable number of farmers was angry over the recently-passed farm laws. The collectors supply stubble to power generation industry. “Last year, we collected 17,000 tonnes of stubble from villages in Khanna and surrounding areas, but this time we could manage only 10,000 quintals. We collected stubble from Turmuri, Panjrooka, Fatehpur and Nasrali villages, but farmers in other areas set it afire in front of us. They know their unions will stand with them, besides the government is also not acting tough this time due to farmers’ agitation. Unions wanted to exhibit anger against the government,” said Maggar Singh, a farmer of Turmuri village who is into stubble collection.“Another reason for increase in stubble burning cases this time is that the farmers wanted to sow wheat early,” he added.Another collector seconded him. “Last year, we had collected 1,800 tonnes of stubble, but this year it was 1,500 tonnes. Farmers set it afire due to laxity of the government this year. The previous year, the government agencies were strict in enforcing the ban,” said Avtar Singh, a farmer from Jargari and stubble collector. He said farmers’ union had a role in jump in stubble burning cases as they wanted to show their anger to the government. Rajvir, who is into the stubble collection business for many years now, said, “We collected 1 lakh quintals of stubble from villages in Machhiwara, Khanna and Samrala the previous year, but this time we got 80,000 quintals. We couldn’t achieve the target. Instead of providing it to us, they set it afire as there were no checks during farmers’ agitation. Farmers feel if the government is not supporting them, then why should they support it.” “We charge farmers a nominal fee for transportation of stubble from their fields to power plants in Khanna, Nawanshahr, Garhshankar and near Kurukshetra in Haryana,” he added.However, some collectors managed to meet the target. “In villages like Isru, Kangrala and Abdullahpur, we have worked for years and have been collecting stubble. Against the target of 6,000 tonnes, we collected 5,500 tonnes and hope to achieve the target,” said Gurtej Singh, a farmer and collector from Taunsa village. He added that they had bought two bailers for making stubble bails and then transporting it to power units.

The Times of India

2020-11-24

Ludhiana