Lucknow: Taking a cue from Haryana and Punjab, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to impose fines on those who burn stubbles in fields. The state government has asked the district and police chiefs to impose fine on those responsible for burning stubbles in their farmlands, sources said on Wednesday.
Chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra has issued a directive saying anyone found burning farm residue or waste in their fields will have to pay Rs 2,500 if the field is less than two acres, Rs 5,000 if the land is over two to five acres; and Rs 15,000 if the farmland is above five acres.
Mishra told the officials concerned to see that agricultural residues are not burnt in fields and that a campaign should be launched to raise awareness among farmers about the consequences of burning stubbles. Nevertheless, if farmers are caught burning stubbles in their farmlands, they should be punished, Mishra said.
An official quoting Mishra said that 14 instruments and machines have been identified to deal with agricultural waste.
There are directives that farm banks should be set up to keep common use instruments and machinery, the official said, adding that the bank would supply the equipment to the individual farmers on the grounds of their need. For establishing machinery banks, individual farmers will get 50% subsidy and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and panchayats will get 80% subsidy, the official said, adding that the purchase of instruments and machinery should be completed by October 15.
The farm residues of last year should be sent to cowsheds where 25% of it will be used for fodder, the official said.
