Punjab minister said this amid ongoing allegations and counter-allegations regarding stubble burning
Punjab (ANI): Hitting out at Haryana Chief Minister over the stubble burning issue, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said he should “stop politics” and “stand” with farmers.
His reaction comes after CM Khattar’s statement in which he said that Aam Aadmi Party-ruled Punjab has allegedly “not paid much attention” to crop residue burning, and “the state government should adopt the steps taken by his government.” It should be done as the Supreme Court bench had said.” one day before”.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday on the issue of stubble burning, Minister Cheema said, “This time the cases of stubble burning have increased the most in Haryana. “This season there has been a 70 per cent reduction (in stubble burning) in Punjab between October and November.”
“Haryana CM Khattar should stop doing politics on this and stand with the farmers. Why is the Center not helping the farmers?” Punjab minister said.
CM Khattar further said that his government is providing all kinds of help to the farmers to stop them from burning stubble. Pointing to the steps taken by his government to address the issue, CM Khattar said, “I thank the farmers for stopping burning of crop residues.”
Taking aim at the Delhi Chief Minister for making a political statement on this issue, CM Khattar said, “These are not matters of politics. Delhi CM should also understand this. The political statements made by him are not appropriate.”
The Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested that farmers burning stubble should be deprived of Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits as part of the economic consequences of their actions.
The top court was hearing a petition related to increasing air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
The bench suggested that Punjab should also learn from Haryana the way farmers are given financial incentives to refrain from burning crop residue.
Noting that 984 FIRs have been registered against landowners for stubble burning in Punjab and environmental compensation of over Rs 2 crore has been imposed, of which Rs 18 lakh has been recovered, the bench asked the government to clarify that How much money has he collected? Through fines imposed.
The top court also called on the Central and state governments to rise above politics and find a way to deal with crop residue burning.
Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who is also the nodal officer of the state police to keep a check on stubble burning, on Monday once again appealed to the farmers to “cooperate” and “not put matches on crop residue”. “Insisted” on. ”, “Which is dangerous for the environment as well as the health of children.” (ANI)