AMN / NEW DELHI
The Agriculture Ministry has issued an advisory to the state governments to create awareness among the farmers about the harmful effects of straw burning.
The Ministry, in a release, said burning of crop residue in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan contributes in increasing environmental pollution levels.
In view of the severe air pollution in Delhi, Ministry directed the four states to facilitate farmers residue management machines and equipment such as Happy seeder, rotavator and paddy straw chopper through Custom Hiring Centres or village level Farm Machinery Banks.
The states have also been directed to utilise 4,000 per hectare funds available under the ‘Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation’ for demonstration of straw management machines at farmers’ fields. About 132 crore rupees funds have been allocated to the four states in 2017-18 to demonstrate the machines.
A committee of the Union Environment Ministry yesterday discussed the issue of deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region and the short term measures to deal with the issue. The Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Environment Secretary, stressed on the need for effective enforcement of already taken short term measures. These include strict compliance of the Graded Response Action Plan to check air pollution and all other directives issued by Courts. An official release said, during the meeting, the Chief Secretary of Haryana and representatives from the Punjab government said, stubble burning was over and further problems due to this will not arise.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda also reviewed the situation yesterday with the heads of the Central government hospitals. He asked them to take all measures to deal with the patient load.
Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal, which yesterday directed the Delhi government to submit the data on the basis of which it planned to introduce the odd-even car scheme from Monday, will resume its hearing today.