Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua on Monday reviewed the use of modern agricultural machinery for mixing straw in the fields and direct sowing of wheat at village Kheri of District Rupnagar.
On this occasion, he also honoured the farmers, who did not burn stubble, by handing them over certificates and saplings. It is worth mentioning that no farmer put matchstick to burn stubble in Village Purkhali and Kheri. Principal Secretary Science & Technology Rahul Tiwari was also present with him.
Addressing the farmers after reviewing the agricultural machinery in fields, the Chief Secretary said that to stop the practice of stubble burning in Punjab, proper management of crops residue such as straw is very important.
He said that in this regard, meetings are being held continuously at the central level as well. The government has provided about one and a half lakh machines to the farmers at a cost of about Rs. 1500 crores, but at the central level it is said that the machines are not being utilised properly.
Referring his today's visit, Mr Janjua said that he has personally experienced the use of agricultural machines and he also listened to the problems of farmers. He said that the experience will be shared in the next high level meeting with the Centre Government.
It will be elaborated that the expenditure in this whole process is considerable. He said that strenuous efforts are also being made to reduce the area under paddy and bring under pulse crops. A definite solution to this problem will be explored.
All the situations will be explained at the national level so that the image of Punjab will be not damaged in any way.He said that a special attention is being given to fulfill the need of machines at district level, especially to provide baler. The problem of stubble will be solved at ground level in the state.
Principal Secretary Science and Technology, Mr. Rahul Tiwari said that the Chief Secretary has himself visited the fields and reviewed the use of machinery which will yield meaningful results.
Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar Dr. Preeti Yadav said that the Chief Secretary has come to the field and took stock of the situation, which will lead to major solutions regarding stubble management.On this occasion, the farmers shared their problems with the Chief Secretary, for which the latter assured them of a solution.
SSP, Rupnagar Dr. Sandeep Garg, Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) S. Damanjit Singh Mann, SDM Rupnagar Mr. Harbans Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer Mr. Harvinder Lal Chopra, Xen Pollution Control Board Mrs. Kanwaldeep Kaur and other officials of various departments were present.