Why stubble burning is done

Lucknow: Farmers' organisations in Uttar Pradesh expressed anger on Sunday over registration of cases against farmers in connection with stubble burning. Bharatiya Kisan Union senior leader Gaurav Tikait said the government was blaming only the farmers for air pollution and registering cases against them for stubble burning and imposing fines. "This amounts to inflicting atrocities on the country's 'annadata' (food provider)," he said. Tikait also demanded that cases registered against farmers for stubble burning be withdrawn. He said his organisation would hold a nationwide protest — 'Kisan Hal Kranti' — on December 21 over this. "The government is unable to catch those primarily responsible for pollution. Air pollution takes place mainly in cities with burning of vehicular fuels like petrol and diesel, operation of generators, air-conditioners, and burning of plastic and rubber. All these contribute to 94 per cent of air pollution. However, the government does not act on … [Read more...] about UP Farmers’ Organisations Express Anger over Registration of Cases for Stubble Burning

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Saturday it was not smoke from his state that was causing pollution in Delhi and stressed on the need to find ways to dispose of paddy straw, which farmers in his state usually burn in October and November. His remarks come amid claims that stubble burning in Punjab was to be blamed for the pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region. "You keep blaming Punjab for the pollution. This morning I couldn't come from Chandigarh by chopper because of the pollution in Delhi and Punjab had bright sunshine. So we are not giving any smoke from Punjab," Singh said at the 17th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. "I don't know where the smoke is coming from... it is coming from within this area, Singh said here. "I have 13 million tonnes of rice which has just been harvested. I have got 26 million tonnes of paddy straw and unless we find a solution for that paddy straw what will the farmer do? They cannot survive and you cannot ask them … [Read more...] about Don’t Know Where Smoke is Coming From: Amarinder Says Punjab Not Responsible for Delhi’s Pollution

New Delhi: In order to make it convenient for the office-goers during the Odd-Even scheme, the Delhi government has changed the timings of all government offices. The scheme will come into effect from November 4-15 to counter the alarming rise in pollution levels in the national capital. According to an official order, 21 government departments will function from 9:30 am to 6 pm, while the other 21 departments will function from 10:30 am to 7 pm. Among the departments, which will begin work from 9:30 am are Administrative Reforms, Environment, Power, Planning, Audit, Finance Department, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs (General Branch) among others. Offices like Home, Services, Urban Development, Principal Accounts Office, Prosecution, Transport, Higher Education, Information and Publicity will operate from 10:30 am onwards. Also Watch | Thick smog continues to cover Delhi sky AAP government's Odd-Even scheme, which was first implemented in 2015, entails cars with odd and even … [Read more...] about Pollution: Delhi Government Changes Timings Of All Govt Offices During Odd-Even Scheme As Air Turns More Toxic; Check New Reporting Time

        Farmers protesting at Jaitu against FIRs for stubble burning under the banner of the BKU Ekta and Sidhupur factions on Sunday did not let the authorities conduct the autopsy of the farmer who committed suicide at the protest site on Saturday.They are demanding a compensation of ₹1 crore for the family of Jagseer Singh, 50, of Kotra Korianwala village in Bathinda district the pattern of the Delhi government and a job for the kin of the deceased. His body has been kept at the Jaitu government hospital.The farmer unions are holding a dharna for more than a month in Jaitu demanding the cancellation of FIRs registered against burning paddy stubble. Besides cancellation of FIRs, the farmers have been demanding the removal of red entries in revenue records and withdrawal of penalties imposed on them. Deputy commissioner Kumar Saurabh Raj tried to pacify the protesters but to no avail. “We had a meeting with the farmer unions today, but it failed to … [Read more...] about Jaitu farmer suicide: Farmer unions demand ₹1 crore compensation, job for kin

New Delhi: "Abki baar 3 paar" would be the slogan of the BJP for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday, taking a dig at the saffron party which had won just three seats in the 2015 polls. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party's slogan would be "abki baar 67 paar" (this time we will cross 67 seats) in the assembly polls due early next year. When asked whether he considers Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari a competitor in the elections, the chief minister praised him for his singing. "Have you heard him singing 'Rinkiya ke papa'," Kejriwal quipped. He said Delhiites talk so much about the work done by the AAP government that party leaders do not even have to give speeches in elections. The chief minister said the political discourse has changed in the national capital. "After five years of being in power, our critics have started loving us. We will win more hearts in the next two months (till … [Read more...] about ‘Abki Baar Teen Paar’ Would be BJP’s Slogan for Delhi Assembly Elections, Says Arvind Kejriwal