AI Generated Summary
- The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Punjab, aims to encourage farmers to manage their paddy residue responsibly rather than setting it ablaze — a practice that contributes significantly to air pollution during the harvest season.
- Despite the criticism, district officials remain optimistic that the lucky draw scheme will set a positive precedent and inspire farmers across Punjab to turn away from stubble burning, paving the way for cleaner air and sustainable farming practices.
- The Barnala district administration has introduced a Rs 7-lakh lucky draw scheme to reward farmers who adopt eco-friendly stubble management practices.
The Barnala district administration has introduced a Rs 7-lakh lucky draw scheme to reward farmers who adopt eco-friendly stubble management practices.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Punjab, aims to encourage farmers to manage their paddy residue responsibly rather than setting it ablaze — a practice that contributes significantly to air pollution during the harvest season.
At the inaugural draw held today under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner T. Benith, Kehar Singh from Gangohar village won the top prize of Rs 20,000, while Harpreet Singh from Kot Duna and Bikkar Singh from Jhaloor took home Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively. In total, 25 farmers were recognized in the first round, with the remaining 22 receiving Rs 2,500 each.
The weekly draws—seven in total—will continue over the coming weeks, rewarding farmers who show dedication to sustainable crop residue management.
“The farmers who have shown commitment to eco-friendly practices deserve appreciation,” said DC Benith. “Some farmers had requested financial support, and this lucky draw—organized with the help of local industrialists under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative—was conceptualized to recognize their efforts.”
To participate, farmers registered on a dedicated web portal and uploaded photos documenting their standing crop, harvesting, and stubble management sites. After verification by field officers, eligible entries were entered into the draw.
The district administration has also identified 25 stubble-burning hotspot villages and deployed nearly 250 village-level nodal officers to monitor activities and conduct awareness drives aimed at promoting scientific residue management methods.
While the initiative has garnered praise for its innovative approach, it has also sparked debate. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Dakaunda) has questioned the government’s broader handling of stubble management policies. Union leaders Gurdeep Singh Rampura and Harnek Singh Mehma said the state had failed to fully implement Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal directives to offer financial support to farmers.
“We will protest punitive actions against farmers,” they stated, demanding that the permissible moisture content in paddy be raised from 17 to 22 per cent to ease harvesting challenges.
Despite the criticism, district officials remain optimistic that the lucky draw scheme will set a positive precedent and inspire farmers across Punjab to turn away from stubble burning, paving the way for cleaner air and sustainable farming practices.
