Punjab Govt offers incentives to industry for using paddy straw as fuel

Patiala, Sept 3 (KNN) In order to curb stubble burning in Punjab, the state government has decided to provide incentives to industries that agree to use paddy stubble as fuel.

Senior officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said the government had decided to provide cumulative incentives of Rs 25 crore to 50 industries on a first-come-first-served basis.

As per reports, currently, eight industries have agreed to use paddy stubble as fuel. 

“Industries using boilers will be encouraged to use paddy straw as fuel. Further, the government will give non-fiscal incentives to such industries. For example, they will get panchayat land on a 33-year lease to store paddy straw,” said officials.

To prevent farm fires, the state government will also mark red entries in the revenue records of farmers who burn stubble and do not even pay environmental compensation.

“Starting this season, we will have more than 8,500 officers in the field. Red entries will be made in the records of farmers who set their fields on fire,” said PPCB member secretary Krunesh Garg.

Currently, the Punjab government is trying to bring more industrial units under the ambit of the scheme to ensure minimum farm fire cases.  (KNN Bureau)