Combine Harvester Machines Operating without Super Straw Management System to be Impounded

Deputy Commissioner issued directions to ensure strict compliance of AIR

Kapurthala, October 4 (Punjab Post Bureau) – In order to effectively curb the menace of stubble burning amid current paddy harvesting season especially in view of COVID-19 pandemic, the district administration ordered that combine harvester machines functioning without Super Straw Management System (SMS) would be impounded.

                Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal appealed the combine harvester operators to get the Super SMS fitted on their machines. She informed that the state government was providing 50% subsidy on the total cost of getting the SMS fitted on their machines.

                She further added that the combine harvester machines owners have to follow the instructions issued under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act-1981 to ensure that only SMS installed machines would operate in ensuing paddy harvesting season.

             Environmental compensation shall be imposed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) upon owners of the harvester combines found operating without the attachment of Super SMS. This fine would be of Rs. 50,000, Rs.75,000 and Rs. 100000 for first, second and third violation respectively and Rs. 100000 on each violation subsequent to the third violation.

                  In view of paddy stubble burning in the State and its adverse impact on environment and human health, the directions have been issued to the owners of combine harvesters, desirous of undertaking the harvesting of paddy in the State to attach Super Straw Management System with the harvester combine.

                 She also informed that directions had been issued to all concerned departments to depute adequate staff for ensuring the strict compliance of these instructions.

                  It may be recalled that Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana had already recommended that Super SMS be attached to combine harvesters, which cuts the paddy straw coming out of harvester combine into small pieces as well as spreads the same evenly across the field. With this method of harvesting, the farmers are not required to burn the paddy straw, before sowing the next crop. They can plant the next crop without burning of residues with the help of Happy Seeder, Zero-till drill and Super seeder which are also being provided on subsidy or can be hired on rental basis from custom hiring centres, panchayats or Primary Agricultural Co-op. Societies.