Batala, 23 Sep 2025 : Shri Dalwinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur, under an intensive awareness campaign against stubble burning, today reached the hotspot village Masanian near Batala and held a meeting with farmers, appealing to them not to burn stubble. On this occasion, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir, SDM Batala Vikramjeet Singh Panthe, Chief Agriculture Officer Gurdaspur Dr. Amreek Singh, along with farmers of the village, were present.
On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner honored 10 progressive farmers who did not burn stubble in previous years by presenting them with appreciation certificates.
During a special camp organized by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, the Deputy Commissioner said that if the soil remains healthy, the grain produced will also be of good quality. He emphasized that paddy stubble contains many essential nutrients, which get destroyed when it is burnt.
Thanking the farmers from Masanian and nearby villages, he said that with collective cooperation, the campaign against stubble burning will be made successful.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that under the directions of the Punjab Government, a “Stubble Protection Force” has been formed in the district. Each team has been assigned 2–3 government officials who will coordinate with farmers and village representatives, staying in villages throughout the season to address any problems immediately. He added that this force will serve as a bridge between villagers and the district administration.
He further mentioned that 5,500 agricultural machines are available in the district for stubble management, and these will be mapped and provided village-wise. He reiterated that with collective efforts, incidents of stubble burning in Gurdaspur district will be brought down to zero this year.
On this occasion, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Amreek Singh appealed to farmers to sow wheat directly into the stubble using the “in-situ” method and also encouraged “ex-situ” methods of stubble management. He urged farmers not to set stubble on fire in order to protect the environment, maintain soil fertility, and safeguard health.
He further said that as per the directions of the Hon’ble Green Tribunal and the Hon’ble Supreme Court, district administration teams are working vigilantly to prevent stubble burning incidents, while the Agriculture Department is holding village-level meetings with farmers to raise awareness about the harms of burning stubble and the benefits of stubble management.
He added that lists related to the availability and rental of subsidized machinery are also being displayed in villages. He emphasized that subsidized machinery should be kept at common village locations so that any farmer can rent and use it.
Earlier, progressive farmer Harvinder Singh Masanian thanked Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh and the district administration team for visiting the village and assured, on behalf of the villagers, that they would not burn stubble. He also requested that balers and other required agricultural machinery be made available for stubble management.
On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner also released awareness posters on stubble management prepared by the Agriculture Department.
Among those present were Jasmeet Singh, SDO Pollution Control Board, Simranjeet Singh, ADO Batala, Baldev Singh Butter, Agriculture Extension Officer, DSP Sanjeev Kumar, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, progressive farmer Harvinder Singh Masanian, Kawaljit Singh and Manjit Singh, Sarpanch Prabhsimran Singh, Patwari Harsimran Singh, Gobindpal Singh JT, Kulwinder Singh BTM, and Hargurnek Singh ATM.
Summary:
Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh visited hotspot village Masanian to review the situation, assess local concerns, and coordinate necessary administrative measures for safety and effective management.