"Won't pay single penny as penalty": Farmer leader Suresh Koth on Haryana's policy against stubble burning

Ambala (Haryana) [India], October 20 (ANI): Farmer leader in Ambala, Suresh Koth has criticized the Haryana government's stringent measures against stubble burning, warning that the policies could incite further unrest among farmers.

The government has implemented strict penalties, including filing FIRs against farmers who burn stubble and denying the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.

During a visit to the grain market in Ambala, Koth expressed dissatisfaction with the government's approach, stating that if the administration provided stubble management machines in every village, farmers would refrain from burning stubble. He argued that industries, not farmers, are primarily responsible for pollution, urging the government to address the root causes instead of penalizing farmers.
Koth also voiced concerns over deductions made during paddy purchases due to moisture content, asserting that farmers would ensure every grain is sold despite challenges. Additionally, he appointed local farmer leader Sukhwinder Singh Jalbeda as the district head of his union, reinforcing the organization's commitment to advocating for farmers' rights in the face of government policies.

"The farmers contribution to pollution is just 3 to 4 per cent. The major amount of pollution is because of industries and vehicles. We urge the government not to show so much dictatorship towards the farmers. Wherever the farmers have not been provided with machines, there stubble burning is taking place. Huge amount of money is sent from the World Bank for the machines which is not given to the farmers. This dictatorship will not be tolerated by the farmers. We will not give a single penny as penalty," Koth said.

To stop farmers from burning the stubble, the state government of Haryana in an official order stated that as per the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), FIR should be registered against all farmers who burn or have burnt paddy crop residue during the current season from September 15.

"A red entry should be made in the Meri Fasal Mera Bayora (MFMB) record of farmers who are found involved in paddy crop residue burning which will restrict the farmers to sell their crops in the mandis through e-Kharid portal during the next two seasons," said a notice by the Haryana Government. (ANI)