A total of 2,467 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab on Saturday, taking the total number of farm fires between September 15 and November 12 to 43,144. Still, the number of fires is 27% less than the 58,976 crop residue fires. Incidents of arson last year
The state had reported 71,091 such incidents during the same period in 2020
Of the total 2,467 incidents of stubble burning on Saturday, Bathinda topped the list with 358 farm fires, followed by Moga 336, Muktsar 256, Fazilka 242, Mansa 231, Faridkot 200, Firozpur 186 and Barnala There are 174. According to statistics.
On Friday, 3,916 farm fires broke out in Punjab, which is the highest number of fires so far this season.
Despite complaints from neighboring states, including Delhi, farmers continue to set fire to crop residues to clear fields for sowing the next crops, mostly wheat and vegetables.
The state government issued a statement crediting itself for the reduction in farm fires, blaming various initiatives taken to curb the practice.
Presiding over a meeting with the officials, Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua directed them to encourage farmers not to burn stubble, according to an official release.
NHRC said farmers cannot be blamed
Earlier in the day, the NHRC said farmers cannot be blamed for the situation as they are forced to burn stubble due to the “failure” of four state governments.
Due to the high pollution level, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had directed the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to appear on November 10 to discuss the matter.
The commission has now asked the chief secretaries concerned to submit their responses or affidavits “affirmatively within four days” and to appear again on November 18, either in person or in hybrid mode, for the next hearing on the matter.
(with inputs from agencies)
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