Punjab Vidhan Sabha to honour farmers staying away from stubble burning: Kultar Singh Sandhwan

*Says, Agri Department to make lists of such farmers for honouring them in different districts*

*Urges farmers not to burn paddy straw in public interest & environmental concern*

Chandigarh, November 19:

With a view to motivating farmers for not burning paddy straw and crop residues in their fields, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha would honour those farmers who have stayed away or shunned this practice in larger public interest and environmental concerns.

Stating this here today, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the State Government highly appreciated the contribution of such farmers to contain the air and other pollution arising due to farm fires. Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided to appreciate these farmers in all districts, said the Speaker adding that officials of Agriculture Department would compile the lists of such farmers so as to extend them a special appreciation.

With the help of Agriculture and other line departments, special programs will be organized across the state to honour the farmers shunning farm fires besides appreciating them in Vidhan Sabha also, said the Speaker adding that last year too they had honoured a large number of farmers in districts and State Assembly.

Speaker Sandhwan pointed out that those, who not set crop residues on fire, were making a constructive contribution to save environment from different sort of pollution, human health from hazardous diseases and fertility of soil in the fields. He said it was a high time to come out of this harmful activity of farm fires to ensure healthy environment in the state.

Sandhwan called upon farmers to take the message against farm fires to every nook & corner of their villages so as to motivate others to follow their footsteps.

Speaker also appealed to the farmers of the state to plant maximum saplings in their areas to further expand green cover for ensuring clean, green and pollution free environment. He also motivated the farmers to sow the wheat crop with the help of machines of advanced technology. He said Agriculture Officials were apprising and helping the farmers about these machines throughout Punjab.

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