Over 12,000 cases of stubble burning have been reported during the Kharif season in Haryana in 2017 while satellite data has revealed that more than 42,000 such cases were reported in Punjab in the same period, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
The written reply by minister of state for environment Mahesh Sharma in the Rajya Sabha came at a time when the entire northern region of India is facing a severe crisis of air pollution.
"As informed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), total number of stubble burning cases reported in Haryana during Kharif season in 2017 is 12,606 out of which 236 FIR have been lodged and Rs 39,85,000 collected as fines for 1,493 cases.
"As per satellite data received from Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, total number of stubble burning cases reported during Kharif season in Punjab in 2017 is 42,337," he said.
He said steps taken by the central government, the CPCB and the state boards include banning of stubble burning, mass awareness programmes, constitution of a task force to suggest remedial measures for crop residue burning, including options such as use of innovative farm implements like 'Happy Seeder' among others.
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