Punjab CM: 'Centre should pay farmers more to stop stubble burning'

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that if stubble burning has to be stopped in the State, then the Central Government should give Rs. 100 extra per quintal on the produce of farmers. "We have deputed officers in every district to control pollution in the State. Punjab's people should think about air pollution," Captain Amarinder told news agency ANI.

Stubble burning in Punjab affecting Delhi

The Chief Minister added, "This is the year of the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. He had said that 'Pawan' (air) is our Guru and to keep it clean is our duty." He also said that stubble burnings have taken place at some places but the situation is not that grim as newspapers have projected it to be. The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to file a status report on the recommendations of a high-level task force on the prevention of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh as the air quality plunged to "very poor" category in Delhi. 

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Amarinder Singh slams Pakistan

During a roadshow in Dhaka constituency for the by-poll, Singh said, the reports that his party is getting about the campaigning in four assembly seats which are going to by-polls are very positive and is confident to win on all four seats. He also attacked Pakistan for levying a pilgrim tax of $20 on the visitors of Kartarpur Corridor. Talking exclusively to Republic TV, the Chief Minister said, "Gurdwara Sahab Kartarpur Sahab is under the control of Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhan Committee. Around five to ten thousand pilgrims will be visiting there, they can make use of the offerings made by the pilgrims, why are they asking for more money?" 

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The Punjab CM continued and added, "Who has 25 dollars? If a poor person sitting in a village wants to go there to pray, how will he go, where will he source for himself 25 dollars? They have also asked pilgrims to make a passport, why is that required? These things are creating difficulties and this is wrong. Naturally, in our religion, no jizya is charged from people for praying or worshipping. We believe in freedom of visiting religious places. Who pays money to visit a Gurdwara? The offering one makes is a personal choice but nobody buys a ticket to visit a gurdwara."

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(With ANI inputs)