The issue of stubble burning in Punjab resonated in Parliament. Dr. Sandeep Pathak, a Member of Parliament from Punjab of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stated in Parliament that farmers are unfairly blamed for burning stubble, while it is not a choice but a compulsion for them. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the governments to address this issue. The most effective solution to prevent stubble burning is for the government to provide proper financial assistance to farmers.
The Punjab government has proposed to give Rs 1000 per acre to farmers for stubble management, and it has appealed to the center to contribute Rs 1500 per acre for the same. If the center accepts Punjab’s proposal, farmers could receive Rs 2500 per acre, leading to a quick resolution of the problem.
Dr. Pathak suggested that the second and long-term solution to the stubble problem is crop diversification. Due to significantly lower Minimum Support Price (MSP) for other Kharif crops compared to rice, farmers prefer cultivating rice. The state government has stated that it will compensate for the price difference between MSPs for other crops and rice. If the central government plans to equalize the MSPs and implements it from this year, positive results can be expected. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav responded to Pathak’s questions, rejecting Punjab’s demand for Rs 1500, leading to dissatisfaction expressed by Sandeep Pathak, who stated that they are not satisfied with the minister’s response.
