DC: Fight against farm fires will continue until harvest ends in Ludhiana

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jitendra Jorwal said teams have been given instructions to remain on ground for the next 15 days and prevent fires. Joint teams of civilians and police worked in the fields even on holidays and informed farmers about the harmful effects of fires on farms. The teams are also ensuring that farmers have access to agricultural machinery that will help them manage the rice stubble.

Civil and police teams comprising PPCB, Agriculture, Revenue, BDPO, DSP and SHO officials are conducting daily marches in villages to deter violators.

As directed by Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, the teams are coordinating with sarpanches, youth clubs, village committees and other stakeholders to create awareness about the ill effects of stubble burning. 211 nodal officers and 90 cluster officers along with police colleagues are keeping a close watch on their areas to prevent incidents.

Jorval said that 8,978 machines including balers, rakes, super seeders, smart seeders, surface seeders, zero seeders, RMB plows, mulchers, straw choppers, Super SMS, reapers, rotary mowers and tractors were provided to farmers through dedicated recruitment centers . , societies and groups.

The DC also urged farmers in the district to act responsibly and not burn paddy stubble in the interest of the people. He noted that the need of the hour is to educate people, especially farmers, about the consequences of burning rice stubble, which poses a risk to human health and the environment.