Punjab farmers' unions oppose doubled fines on stubble burning; demand curb on industrial and vehicular pollution

On Thursday, the Centre raised the fine for burning stubble, increasing the penalty for land up to two acres from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000; for land between two and five acres, the fine has been doubled from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000; and for land of five acres and above, the fine now stands at Rs 20,000, up from Rs 10,000.

According to an Indian Express report, the farmers alleged that the Centre is favouring industries over agricultural interests.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan’s General Secretary, Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, told The Indian Express that increased fines would not “intimidate the farmers,” adding that they would refuse to pay the penalties, even if raised tenfold.

“Fifty-one percent of pollution comes from industries. Has the government ever inspected them? Delhi will remain polluted even if we don’t burn stubble. Why can’t they address issues beyond stubble burning? We’re not eager to burn stubble but need solutions,” he was quoted as saying.

Jagmohan Singh Patiala, General Secretary of the BKU Dakaunda, also emphasized that the government should address “vehicular, construction-related, and industrial pollution” rather than targeting farmers.

He argued that imposing fines on already struggling farmers is not a viable solution.

“Delhi’s air quality is often at its worst in January, when no stubble burning occurs. It’s high time they identified other reasons for poor air quality rather than punishing farmers,” he told The Indian Express.

Avtar Singh Tari, president of cooperative societies in Barnala, Sangrur, and Malerkotla districts, and Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, shared similar concerns.

Pandher emphasized that stubble burning is a compulsion, not a choice, for farmers, pointing out that the Punjab government has provided less than 30 percent of the needed crop residue management machines.

He further alleged that the government is targeting farmers due to their protests for legally guaranteed minimum support prices.

Avtar Singh Tari noted that farmers in his area had shifted from sugarcane to paddy after the closure of a local sugar mill, and now face challenges selling their crop in mandis.

“Instead of compensating farmers and ensuring smooth procurement, they are penalizing them with fines. This is simply unacceptable,” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.