On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to effectively check the menace of paddy straw burning, the Secretary Agriculture Kahan Singh Pannu on Wednesday asked the officers/officials of agriculture department to ensure timely supply of subsidized farm equipments to the farmers or face disciplinary action for delinquency in this regard.Presiding over a meeting to deliberate upon the effective steps being taken to tackle the problem of straw burning here at Kissan Bhawan, the Secretary reviewed the progress of farm implements delivered to the farmers till date. He said that these agri-implements must be delivered to the farmers before the harvesting season of paddy begins. Pannu pointed out that that the implements manufacturing agencies had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of India to provide these implements to the farmers on time adding that if these agencies fail to honor their commitment then these firms could be blacklisted. The Secretary asked the officers to keep a strict vigil that no one indulges in malpractice to earn money by assuring prompt delivery of implements to farmers in wrong way.
Secretary further said that the school students were being made part of the anti-stubble burning campaign for which anti-paddy straw burning awareness poster competition and rallies would be organized in schools across the state in last week of September. Mr. Pannu said that the second phase of this campaign would be initiated from October 10.The Secretary said that as with the active support and cooperation of the people, the adulteration of food items/products is being checked under ‘Tandarust Punjab’ Mission, in the same manner the menace of paddy straw burning would also be contained with the active support of farmers.He also warned the officers that if any pesticide dealer was found selling unauthorized pesticides/ insecticides to the farmers then stern action would be taken against the erring dealer and the officer of the concerned area.On the occasion Director Agriculture Dr. Jasbir Singh Bains, Joint Directors Dr. Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Dr. Parminder Singh, Dr. Sarabjit Singh, Dr. Jagtar Singh Brar, Dr. Baljinder Singh Brar, Dr. Jaswant Singh and others were also present.