Union Government should pay amount spent on in-situ management of paddy straw: MP Dr Amar Singh

Ludhiana, November 20, 2019: Dr Amar Singh, Member of Parliament from Fatehgarh Sahib, has appealed to the Union government that keeping in mind poor financial health of the farming community, they should pay entire amount spent by farmers for in-situ management of paddy straw and agricultural residue. He said this while addressing the Indian Parliament during the discussion on “Climate Change and Pollution”.
During his address, Dr Amar Singh defended farmers of Punjab and said that its unfair to farmers that cases are being registered against them. Instructions are passed often from Delhi without understanding the ground realities. He said farmers have a very small window to sow wheat. For starters, lets understand why farmers burn stubble. New machines being suggested are adding massive new costs to farmers. “How can distressed small farmers afford these new costs. Worst condition currently is of farmers with 70-80% of them being distressed currently. The central Government should take responsibility to bear these new costs,” said Dr Amar Singh.

MISSION TANDRUST PUNJAB: RESIDENTS OF BAINS VILLAGE CLAIM TO HAVE MADE THEIR VILLAGE FREE FROM PADDY STRAW BURNING
Ludhiana, November 20, 2019: The efforts being made by the Punjab government to check cases of paddy straw burning and Mission Tandrust Punjab got a shot in the arm when the residents of Bains village of the district claimed that they have made their village free from paddy straw burning. A special function to thank village residents was organised in the Gurudwara premises of Bains village today, in which the farmers who did not burn paddy straw, were honoured with rose plants. The youth of this village played crucial role in bringing this change.
A function in this regard was organised under the leadership of Dr Harminder Singh Sidhu from Gadri Baba Dulla Singh Giani Nihal Singh Foundation Jalaldiwal and was attended by Chief Agriculture Officer Ludhiana Dr Baldev Singh and senior journalist Mr Baltej Singh Pannu.
This function was also attended by a large number of village residents, Guardians of Governance, Block Agriculture Officer Mr Harminder Singh Chhina, Mr Jagjit Singh, Mr Palwinder Singh, Mr Sandeep Singh, Sarpanch Mr Kahan Singh, former sarpanch Mr Kuldeep Singh, Mr Soni, Mr Jassa Singh, besides several others.
While providing information, Dr Baldev Singh stated that Bains village has a population of 2400, and the number of voters is around 1200. During the function, the village residents claimed to have transformed their village into one where no farmer burns paddy straw. He stated that the youth of this village have played an important role in this regard, whereas members of Gadri Baba Dulla Singh Giani Nihal Singh Foundation Jalaldiwal provided machinery and other other facilities to the farmers. Mr Tota Sigh Dina from Gadri Baba Dulla Singh Giani Nihal Singh Foundation Jalaldiwal also spoke on the occasion.
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Baldev Singh further said that human beings are themselves responsible for polluting our environment. He warned that if this issue of polluting our environment is not checked, it would prove very harmful for coming generations. He also appreciated the efforts of Gadri Baba Dulla Singh Giani Nihal Singh Foundation Jalaldiwal for saving our environment and appealed to the farmers to not burn paddy straw and agricultural residue and take full advantage of facilities being provided by the government. He also urged the farmers to use the machinery being provided by the state government for in-situ management of paddy straw and agricultural residue.