AAP submits memorandums to DCs against 'harassment' of farmers

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today submitted memorandums to deputy commissioners in each district of the state against alleged "undue harassment" of farmers by the government in the name of stubble burning.
In a joint statement, AAP state president Bhagwant Mann, co-president Aman Arora and the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira said that the government should fulfill its responsibilities on stubble burning as directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) before registering cases against farmers.
They alleged that the government was "saving its own skin" by harassing farmers.
"As per the orders of NGT, the para 14 clause 'C' clearly states that harvesting, transportation and proper utilisation of the crop residue is the primary responsibility of the state government. In case, the government is not able to do so then it has to pay the compensation to the farmers as per the land holding.

"The clause 'H' of the same order says that the state will provide machines, mechanism and equipments to the farmers for the purpose of destroying agricultural residue," the AAP leaders said.
They demanded proper arrangements to remove paddy stubble from the fields or provide sufficient financial help to farmers as per the NGT directions and stop "punitive action" against farmers for burning stubble in fields.
In the memorandums, submitted by the party MLAs and office bearers, the AAP demanded that the Amarinder Singh led government should comply with the NGT directions and remove the paddy stubble from the fields to save the environment.