Chandigarh: The Haryana government has directed the gram sachivs and patwaris to bring all the incidents of stubble burning during the harvest season to the notice of the deputy commissioners concerned within 30 minutes.  

In case they fail to do so without sufficient cause, it will be treated as dereliction of duty, Haryana Environment and Climate Change Minister, Vipul Goel said while replying to a question on the steps taken to check pollution, including burning of straw and industrial pollution, during the second day of the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly here today.  

He said that the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has engaged Haryana Space Application Centre to monitor the crop residue burning activities in the form of satellite imageries for effective monitoring and enforcement purposes on a daily basis.  

Further SMS alerts regarding incidents of burning cases are sent to the deputy commissioners, agriculture department and officers of the HSPCB.  

Goel said that the regional officers of the Board are submitting daily reports on the activities in their jurisdiction on the number of incidents detected, the amount of penalty imposed and collected, the number of cases where the FIR's were lodged.  

He said that in the year 2016, environmental compensation of Rs 19.38 lakh was collected and in the year 2017, environmental compensation of Rs. 42.17 lakh was collected and 236 FIRs registered against the violators.  

Wide publicity was given to create awareness among public and farmers on the harmful effects of crop residue burning on environment and health, through electronic and print media, through public rallies and competitions in educational institution, he said. PTI