Stubble burning: Unhappy with Punjab govt plan, farmers want compensation

Farmers have indicated that they will continue with the practice unless the govt compensates them suitably for the expenses they will incur by adopting alternative methods of disposing of crop residue

As paddy harvesting begins in parts of Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is struggling to deal with the menace of stubble burning. Farmers have indicated that they will continue with the practice unless the government compensates them suitably for the expenses they will incur by adopting alternative methods of disposing of crop residue.

“After the Centre did not entertain AAP’s demand to contribute Rs 1,500 of the Rs 2,500 that the state government has promised, it has just been organising meetings without coming up with viable alternatives,” says Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, Punjab general secretary, Bhartiya