Haryana ramps up drive, files FIRs against 93 farmers amid spike in crop fires

Gurgaon: As Haryana is witnessing an uptick in farm fires, the agriculture department has intensified crackdown on farmers who are found to have engaged in crop residue burning. So far, FIRs have been registered against 93 farmers and a total fine of Rs 8 lakh has been collected."Strict action is being taken against farmers who burn paddy straw. Teams have been instructed to visit villages, encouraging farmers to refrain from burning and instead take advantage of govt incentives for stubble management. So far, 24 officials have been suspended for negligence after multiple farm fire incidents were reported in their jurisdictions. On Wednesday, no action has been taken against officials. We will adhere to the due course of law. Chargesheets will be filed, providing these officials with an opportunity to present their case. Action will be taken against them based on their responses," agricultural department director Rajnarayan Kaushik said. Kaushik further said environmental compensation (EC) is being levied on farmers whose land is found to have crop fires, and red entries are being made against offenders, which bars them from certain privileges. "The EC amount depends on the size of the land owned by farmers, with different rates for plots less than 2 acre incurring Rs 2,500 per incidence, Rs 5,000 for those between 2 and 5 acre, and Rs 15,000 for over 5 acre," he said.In Ambala, 42 farmers have been fined Rs 1 lakh for setting their crop residue on fire, and 35 red entries have been made against them on "Meri Fasal Mera Byora" portal. In Kaithal, which has recorded the highest number of farm fire incidents, FIRs have been registered against 22 farmers and 18 have been arrested under various sections of the law.In Fatehabad, the authorities have made 40 red entries, suspended three employees and registered five FIRs against farmers. In Hisar, FIRs have been filed against 11 farmers for crop fires. Kurukshetra has seen registration of FIRs against 62 farmers, while 22 red entries have been made.Darshan Singh, an agriculture officer in Kurukshetra, said, "All districts have been told to get mapping of all villages cultivating paddy so that in-situ and ex-situ machines can be made available to farmers. We are conducting a careful evaluation before adding farmers to the red entry list. Once their names are mentioned, they will be barred from markets for two seasons."