Strict action in Moga to curb stubble burning. In a stringent response to rising incidents of stubble burning in Moga, Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal has issued show cause notices to two Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), a Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), and two Station House Officers (SHOs), among other officials, for alleged lapses in controlling crop residue fires. This action is part of the district’s zero-tolerance approach toward stubble burning, aligned with directives from the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal (NGT), and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).
Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal shared that, according to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana, 105 stubble burning cases have been reported so far in Moga district, of which 87 involved fires. Legal action has been taken against 61 individuals, and fines totaling ₹1,72,500 have been levied. Red entries have also been recorded in the land registry for those violating regulations. This enforcement extends to local officials where fire incidents have occurred, including SDM Moga Sarangpreet Singh Aujla, SDM Baghapurana Beant Singh Sidhu, BDPO Nihal Singh Wala Rupinder Kaur, and SHOs and nodal officers across multiple sub-divisions.
In line with these actions, legal proceedings under Section 14(1) of the Commission for Air Quality Management Act have been initiated against specific officials, including Nodal Officer Pargatjeet Singh of Village Kishanpura Kalan, in Moga’s CJM court. If convicted, offenders face fines up to ₹1 crore, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The district administration, under the supervision of SSP Ajay Gandhi, has intensified its monitoring efforts, with regular field visits by officials. A public awareness campaign is also underway to educate farmers on sustainable alternatives to burning stubble, such as incorporating it back into the soil. The Punjab government has provided 7,401 subsidized agricultural machines for stubble management to panchayats, cooperatives, and individuals, with access details made available in villages.
Control rooms have been set up at the sub-division level to coordinate responses to stubble burning incidents and disseminate information on available machinery. Staffed by police officers, officials from the Cooperation Department, and other support personnel, these control rooms ensure a swift response to fire incidents and facilitate machinery access.
Deputy Commissioner Sarangal reiterated the importance of using Super Straw Management System (Super SMS) technology, now mandatory for all harvest combines. He confirmed that checks so far show full compliance with this requirement. The Deputy Commissioner urged farmers to refrain from burning crop residue, warning that those who violate the ban will face legal consequences, red entries in their land records, and monetary fines.