Centre sends advisory to states on stubble burning

The Union Agriculture Ministry on Friday said it has issued an advisory to state governments to check stubble burning that caused severe pollution in the National Capital Region in the last few days.

The advisory came in the wake of the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) strict warning to states for measures to stop stubble burning.

The ministry has asked the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to create awareness among the farmers about the harmful effects of straw burning and provide the necessary means to them for effective disposal of the stubble.

It has also directed the states to use the funds of Rs 4,000 per hectare available under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization to provide straw management machinery and equipment to farmers, as per the release.

These include zero till seed drill, happy seeder, straw baler, rotavator, paddy straw chopper or mulcher, gyro rake, straw reaper and shredder.

The ministry has also asked the states to make available the machinery and equipment through custom hiring centres or village level farm machinery banks.

--IANS

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