Combine Harvester Machines Operating Without Super Straw Management System To Be Impounded : Kahan Singh Pannu
Asks Dcs To Ensure Strict Implementation Of Instructions
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh 24-Sep-2019
In order to effectively curb the menace of stubble burning during post paddy harvesting season in the State, the State Agriculture Department on Tuesday ordered to impound the combine harvester machines functioning without Super Straw Management System (SMS).Disclosing this here today, State Agriculture Secretary Kahan Singh Pannu urged the combine harvester operators to fit the Super SMS on their machines. He also informed that the state government also providing 50% subsidy on the total cost of Rs. 1.10 Lac of getting the SMS fitted on the machines. There are nearly 12,000 combine harvesters in Punjab out of which 5000 machines already fitted the SMS.He further said that the combine harvester machines owners have to follow the instructions issued under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act-1981 to ensure that only SMS installed machines would operate in coming paddy harvesting season.Due to the problem of paddy stubble burning in the State and its adverse impact on environment, directions issued under Section 31-A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the owners of combine harvesters desirous of undertaking the harvesting of paddy in the State shall attach Super Straw Management System with the harvester combine. That no harvester combine shall be allowed to harvest paddy in the State of Punjab without functional Super Straw Management System.Mr. Pannu also issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to depute adequate staff of Transport, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and other concerned departments for ensuring the strictly implementation of these instructions.Secretary Agriculture said that the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana had already recommended that Super SMS be attached to combine harvesters, which cuts the paddy straw coming out of harvester combine into small pieces as well as spreads the same. With this method of harvesting, the farmers are not required to burn the paddy straw, before sowing the next crop.