Combine without Super SMS seized in Jand Sarai village, ₹50,000 environmental compensation imposed

Deputy Commissioner appeals to farmers to actively contribute to environmental preservation by zero stubble burning

Jalandhar News: To curb incidents of stubble burning at the grassroots level and to ensure that paddy is harvested using combines equipped with Super SMS, special teams formed by the District Administration Jalandhar are continuously active in the field.

During the inspection of combines in various villages, a combine operating without Super SMS was caught today in Jand Sarai village, Kartarpur. Besides being seized by the police, a ₹50,000 environmental compensation was also imposed.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal shared that joint teams, comprising officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Agriculture, and Police departments, have been formed. These teams are visiting villages to inspect combines and encourage farmers to harvest paddy only with combines equipped with Super SMS.
He mentioned that as part of this initiative, joint teams also visited villages in Phillaur Tehsil, where two combines with Super SMS were found operating. Farmers were also educated on proper ways to manage stubble during this time.

Dr. Aggarwal explained that the District Administration has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to prevent the trend of burning stubble. Farmers are being provided with modern tools for stubble management at subsidized rates, while awareness activities are continuously spreading the message of not burning stubble to every household.
A helpline number, 0181-2225005, has already been issued by the District Administration to assist farmers in managing stubble and in getting Super SMS installed on combines.
The Deputy Commissioner expressed confidence that with the support of farmers, incidents of fires in the district can be stopped. He appealed to farmers to actively participate in environmental conservation by refraining from burning stubble/residue.

Environmental Engineer Sandeep Kumar from the Punjab Pollution Control Board said that during the inspection, farmers were also informed about the benefits of using Super SMS with combines. He shared that the administration has issued guidelines to harvest paddy only with Super SMS-equipped combines. Violators will be fined ₹50,000 for the first offense, ₹75,000 for the second offense, and ₹1 lakh for the third offense.

During this time, villagers also took an oath not to burn stubble.
Additionally, awareness about zero stubble burning was spread in the village of Kotla Hera. Tehsildar Shahkot Gurdeep Singh Sandhu explained to farmers the harmful effects of smoke from burning stubble on the environment and human health, encouraging them to stop this practice.