EPCA Writes To Chief Secretaries Of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh And Haryana To Take Action On Early Stubble Burning

New Delhi: The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) wrote to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take stock of the situation and take action after early burning of crop residue was brought to notice on Tuesday (September 22). Bhure Lal, chairman, EPCA told ANI, “We have written to chief secretaries of all the three states to take stock of the situation and start acting. We have asked them to implement Supreme Court’s order which is a state’s responsibility.”

Also Read: Punjab Government Launches ‘I Rakhwali’ App To Make Citizens ‘Greenery Saviours’

We have been monitoring the subsidies paid by Central government to procure tools and implement to enable the farmers and the societies at the Panchayat level to give it a proper shape for commercialisation, added Mr Lal.

EPCA have also asked the chief secretaries to put their village level bodies to ensure burning does not take place.

Chief secretaries have also been requested to set up a control room in which directions can be issued and actions can be taken both for ensuring that the machineries are within reach of the farmers as well ensuring enforcement of the non-compliance that is reported from the field.

According to SAFAR estimate based on harmonising the INSAT-3, 3D, and NASA satellite, the fire counts were around 42 on September 21. Fire counts were 20 and nil on Sep 20 and September 15 respectively.

Impact of stubble burning which has started in Punjab and bordering regions will remain minimal in Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) level as due to low wind situation.

EPCA would be submitting its report to the Supreme Court on targets being set for the year and urgent measure to be taken by the state government to combat stubble burning.

Also Read: Air Pollution In Delhi: Punjab, Haryana To Bank On More Machines, Biomass Plants To Reduce Stubble Burning

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) 

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.  

[corona_data_new]