Punjab Minister Dhaliwal Stresses on Need for Alternative Methods to Manage Stubble

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Punjab government has been dubbed the "government of common people and farmers." On Sunday, Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal stated that the state government has always made decisions in the public interest and will continue to do so in the future.

The Punjab Government will not allow any farmer to suffer losses, according to a statement from the Punjab Information and Public Relations Department. Dhaliwal has issued orders to withdraw the central government's red entries issued to state farmers for stubble burning, and a notification has been issued in this regard. He stated that the orders to make red entries against Khasra Number of revenue record issued by the National Green of the land concerned Tribunal (NGT) in its letter dated October 4, 2022, have been withdrawn. He stated that instructions had been issued.

According to Dhaliwal, the red entry in the land record is not in the best interests of the state's farmers. He claimed that farmers would have been denied loans, government facilities, and subsidies because of the red entry. The Agriculture Minister emphasised the importance of farmers adopting alternative methods for stubble management, emphasising the importance of farmers assisting the government in making the state pollution-free.

He stated that environmental pollution is a major global issue in today's era and that it is time for us to take action. Speaking of alternative stubble management methods, the Cabinet Minister added that the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed a radical solution for stubble burning using a bio-enzyme called Pusa. He claims that when sprayed, this enzyme destroys the stubble and turns it into compost in 20-25 days, and it also aids in improving soil quality.

He stated that the long-standing practise of stubble burning, which is set on fire to clear the fields before planting the next crop, should be discontinued using alternative methods. The Agriculture Minister said that the Punjab government is already severe about this, with 19393 machines given to farmers on subsidy for stubble management this year. In comparison, 90433 machines were distributed to farmers over the last four years.

He stated that the state's farmers have access to 109815 machines. According to satellite data from November 26, 2022, during the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, from September 15 to November 26, 76619, 71122, and 49876 cases of stubble burning were recorded, which is 30% less than the previous year. He stated that if the central government provides farmers with assistance equal to the cost of stubble management, it will be possible to eliminate this problem permanently.