The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday pulled up the Punjab government for not providing enough incentives to farmers to stop burning crop stubble, which results in severe air pollution every year.

The farmers present in the court told the Tribunal that despite being assured by the government of favourable incentives, nothing was done.

A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar rapped the Punjab government and said that due to financial costs involved it was not possible for the marginal farmer to keep environmental concerns in mind.

‘Help the farmers’

“A farmer is only interested in saving time, energy and getting money. Why not help?” said the Bench.

After the counsel appearing for the Punjab government told the Tribunal that they had selected one village in Patiala to be the model, the green panel asked the government to take into consideration all the villages in the district.

“The entire district should be your responsibility and you will do it instantaneously. You cannot keep them hanging in the air by delaying the entire exercise and causing them financial loss. Make sure they do not feel the financial burden,” said the Bench.

The NGT also asked the government to give farmers enough time to make arrangements for the harvesting process.

During the hearing, farmers’ leaders argued that they were being ‘harassed’ by the authorities through environmental fines. Advocate I. G. Kapila, arguing on behalf of the farmers, said that the government was adopting a ‘selective approach’ and harassing farmers in the name of NGT orders on stubble burning. The panel will hear the matter on October 11.