New Delhi. After the strict stance of the Supreme Court, the Central Government has doubled the fine for burning stubble. Now, if farmers with less than 2 acres of land burn stubble, they will have to pay a fine of Rs 5000. Earlier it was Rs 2500. At the same time, if farmers with 2 to 5 acres of land burn stubble, now they will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. This is also double than before. At the same time, farmers with more than 5 acres of land will now have to pay a fine of Rs 30,000 for burning stubble as compared to earlier.

In October, the Supreme Court had expressed deep concern over the issue of stubble burning and the pollution it is causing in Delhi. At that time, the Supreme Court had adopted a tough stance on imposing lesser fines on farmers and reprimanded the concerned state governments. Only after this the Central Government decided to increase the fine for burning stubble. The fine for burning stubble has been increased by making changes in the Air Quality Management Commission Act 2021 in and around the National Capital Region. An order to increase the fine has been issued under Section 25(H) of this Act.

Let us tell you that every year just before the onset of cold, farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Western UP burn stubble. Due to which smoke increases pollution in and around Delhi. Cases are also registered against farmers for burning stubble. The Delhi government had earlier said that it would convert the stubble into fertilizer through chemicals, but even this plan could not stop farmers from burning the stubble. At the same time, farmers in Punjab say that the machine used for stubble disposal is very expensive and cannot be purchased. Farmers burn stubble saying that due to its presence in the field they will not be able to sow the next crop. In this way, the process of burning stubble is going on year after year. Whereas, the Supreme Court has ordered a ban on stubble burning at all costs.