Eight farmers booked for stubble burning in Gautam Buddh Nagar

After launching an emergency helpline to get updates on factors contributing to deteriorating air quality, the district administration of Gautam Buddh Nagar cracked the whip on violators of the green norms. On Saturday, it booked eight farmers on a charge of burning stubble, which is a major contributor to air pollution.

Following the orders from District Magistrate BN Singh, cases against all the eight violators have been registered in Dadri and Dankaur police station area. Three of the accused are from Rampur Majra under Dankaur Police Station, three from Sevalikha Khasba under Dadri Police Station and one from Muphad Majra while one could not be identified.

Naib Tehsildar Seema Singh recounted how acting on a tip-off that a few farmers were burning stubble in their fields, officials of the administration conducted an investigation and ascertained that the information was true. The action was taken against them was based on the report of the investigation.

As per the norms laid down by the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) stubble burning, use of fire-crackers, construction work and any other activity which contributes to air pollution in the district is banned and the violators are liable to be penalised under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The district administration has sent out a warning to the farmers to abide by the norms laid down by the EPCA and National Green Tribunal (NGT) to avoid penalty and strict action.

Earlier this month, six people were booked by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar Prasoon Dwivedi for flouting the EPCA norms who were found indulging in stubble burning.