Punjab: Despite rising pollution levels farmers continue to burn crops

As stubble burning continues to remain a big threat to the pollution levels, farmers in the Talwara area of Punjab continued to burn the crop residue on Thursday. The stubble burning in Punjab continues to happen even after strict measures and actions being taken by the District Administration. 22 Farmers were arrested by the Ludhiana District Administration on Wednesday. The administration has also registered 45 FIRs against the farmers in an attempt to contain stubble burning and bring the increasing pollution under control.

On Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had announced the Punjab Government's plan to implement the Supreme Court order, which had directed the Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh government to give incentives for small and marginal farmers who shun stubble-burning. Stubble burning in the fields of Punjab has been contributing heavily to the increasing pollution levels in Haryana, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab regions. Burning of crop residue has resulted in the creation of a thick layer of smog.

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PM Modi chairs meeting on pollution

On November 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a meeting where dangerous air-quality levels in north India were discussed. The residents of Northern India continue to grapple with severe levels of pollution. He also reviewed the situation arising because of cyclonic conditions in parts of western India. 

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SC attacks Punjab Government

The Supreme Court in its hearing on rising Air Pollution levels on November 6, slammed the Punjab government for "miserably failing" to tackle the pollution caused by stubble burning. The SC also criticised the state governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana were present in the Court. The SC bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that nobody will be spared if found violating rules and regulations and directed to ensure that no stubble burning takes place.

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(With inputs from ANI)