38 Farmers Banned from MSP Sales for Stubble Burning

State's Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Department has taken a firm stance against stubble burning, imposing a two-season ban on 38 farmers from selling their crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP). This decisive action comes as part of a broader effort to combat air pollution and promote sustainable farming practices in the region.

The department's Director recently issued a circular calling for strict measures against those found burning crop residue. As a result, these 38 farmers have had a "red entry" marked in their 'Meri Fasal, Mera Byora' (MFMB) records. This effectively blocks them from selling their produce through the e-Kharid portal, which is the primary platform for ensuring procurement at MSP. 

Dr. Wazir Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) of Karnal, stated, "We have already registered nine FIRs, and following the Director's directions, red entries have been marked in the MFMB records of the farmers." This move underscores the government's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations. 

The crackdown extends beyond just banning farmers from MSP sales. According to satellite data, 67 active fire locations (AFLs) have been reported in the area. Of these, 39 farmers have been fined a total of Rs 1,07,500 for violating stubble burning regulations. The fines vary across different tehsils, with Karnal and Gharaunda seeing the highest number of penalized farmers. 

To ensure comprehensive monitoring and awareness, the Agriculture Department has significantly expanded its ground team. "We have expanded our teams to 550 members, including employees from agriculture, revenue, and panchayat departments, to check stubble burning cases and raise awareness among farmers," Dr. Singh explained. 

The initiative also aims to hold government officials accountable. Karnal DC Uttam Singh warned that strict action would be taken against officials found negligent in preventing stubble burning incidents. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates the state's determination to address the stubble burning issue at all levels. 

The Haryana Story notes that this aggressive stance on stubble burning is part of a larger effort to improve air quality in the region, particularly during the harvest season when air pollution typically spikes. By imposing significant penalties and restricting access to MSP, the government hopes to deter farmers from resorting to stubble burning and encourage them to adopt alternative methods of crop residue management. 

As the harvest season progresses, all eyes will be on Haryana to see if these strict measures effectively reduce the incidence of stubble burning and contribute to cleaner air in the region. The success of this initiative could potentially serve as a model for other states grappling with similar environmental challenges.