What are you doing to deal with crop burning: NGT asks states

NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal, which has fixed fines on farmers for burning crop stubble to prevent smog over Delhi and its neighbourhood, has directed Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to inform it about the generation of agriculture waste and steps taken to dispose them off. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the three north Indian states to file an

affidavit stating how many equipment have been purchased till date to dispose the agriculture residue from the fields.

"In the meanwhile, the State of Punjab, State of Haryana and State of Uttar Pradesh shall file comprehensive details in relation to the total generation of agriculture residue; the place where it is being utilised and what steps are being taken to deal with the remnant agriculture residue.

"Every State will place on record, by way of an affidavit and documents, how many machines/equipments have been purchased for the purpose of handling the agriculture residue from the agriculture field and where the same has been taken and how many farmers have been provided the assistance in terms of the order of the Tribunal," the bench said.

The green panel also sought details within two weeks on whether any farmer has been asked to pay environmental compensation for crop residue burning.

It listed the matter for hearing on October 28. Last year, NGT had fixed the environment compensation amounts per incident of crop burning to be paid by small land owners having less than two acres of land at Rs 2500, medium land owners holding over two acres and less than five acres at Rs 5,000 and those owning over five acres at Rs 15,000.

It had also directed state governments to take coercive and punitive action against persistent defaulters of crop residue burning and asked them to withdraw the assistance provided to such farmers. The green panel had said the five states - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi - which have issued notification prohibiting agriculture crop residue burning should ensure that these notifications are enforced rigorously and proper action is taken against the defaulters.

The NGT's order came on a plea by environmentalist Vikrant Tongad who had sought a ban on burning of agricultural waste and remnants in open fields.

What are you doing to deal with crop burning: NGT asks states