Karnal, May 4: The Karnal district administration has intensified its crackdown on crop residue burning, announcing that farmers caught intentionally setting fire to wheat stubble will face FIRs and immediate fines. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma stated that the rise in fire incidents necessitates a zero-tolerance approach to protect air quality and comply with National Green Tribunal mandates.
Agricultural reports presented during the district meeting noted that while some fires were caused by electrical sparks, a significant number remains attributed to deliberate stubble clearing. Beyond legal charges, the administration is utilizing digital records to enforce a two-year ban on government procurement for any farmer found in violation of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
“If stubble burning was found to be deliberate, the concerned farmer must face both FIR registration and fines,” Dr. Sharma maintained while addressing the nodal officers.
The enforcement strategy includes a dual approach of strict policing and grassroots communication. Block Development and Panchayat Officers have been directed to ensure that every village is informed of the legal and financial consequences through local announcements. Officials stated that the physical presence of SDMs at fire locations is now mandatory to ensure accurate reporting and swift accountability.
“Violators will face FIRs and a red entry will be made in the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal records, preventing them from selling crops at MSP for the next two seasons,” the Deputy Commissioner asserted.
