Punjab stubble burning: Will adhere by NGT law, says Amarinder Singh

Talking about the recent events of stubble burning in various villages of Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday said that there is a law by National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the government has to implement it whether they like it or not.

However, Singh added that farmers of the state are in a bad condition economically, and are committing suicides due to the economic stress.

Addressing the media after a massive victory in the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha by-polls, Amarinder Singh said, "If we have to implement the law then the Government of India has to come up with a compensatory allowance for farmers."

Punjab is witnessing turmoil with farmers in the state burning crop residue to protest government's prohibitory orders on stubble burning.

The protesting farmers have said that they had no other option except to burn crop residue as substitute to stubble burning was expensive machinery, which was not a possibility for debt-ridden farmers.

Stubble burning has become a major concern for authorities as it causes air pollution as well as reduces soil fertility.

Following the orders of the NGT, state government and district administration has tightened strictures against stubble burning, and booked charges against farmers, who are not following orders.