Punjab: Lambardars take oath to fight against stubble burning

Punjab: On the call of Malerkotla DC Pallavi, Lambardars of the area resolved to support the campaign launched by the administration to obtain guidelines from the National Green Tribunal regarding the ban on stubble burning. The Lambardars also vowed to motivate paddy growers to give up the evil practice of burning agricultural waste and crop residue to prepare their fields for the next crop, besides enforcing punitive action against those who cause pollution by burning paddy residue. Senior vice-president of the state body of Lambardar Union Bhagwan Singh Manki and sub-divisional president Jagdish Singh Bourhai said that they will not support those villagers who do not support the administration in implementing the NGT guidelines regarding eco-friendly disposal of agricultural waste and crop residue. “We pledge to play an active role in achieving the district administration’s zero tolerance target regarding prevention of stubble burning,” Bhagwan Singh Manki said.

He said that his colleagues will not patronize those farmers who deliberately set the stubble on fire. Addressing a meeting in Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh, SDM Harbans Singh and Surinder Kaur said that Lambardar is one of the most important functionaries of the government at the village level. “Unfortunately people have stopped understanding the importance of this post, which should work as the eyes, ears and nose of the administration,” they said. The SDM said that Lambardars should use their influence to persuade farmers to stay away from the evil practice of stubble burning and give timely information about any violations taking place in the rural areas of the region. DC Pallavi appreciated the efforts of Lambardars for supporting the administration’s campaign. She said that outstanding performers would be felicitated during the functions to be organized by the district administration from time to time.