Malerkotla, 18 June 2025: Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu held a meeting with various baler owners and associated industry owners of the district who are managing stubble through ex-situ management. During the meeting, discussions were held with these stakeholders about the challenges they face. The Additional Deputy Commissioner discussed the issues in detail and directed the concerned departments to resolve them in a timely and appropriate manner.
Addressing all the baler owners, the Additional Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need to ensure maximum utilization of the available machinery for stubble management in the district. He stated that approximately 3.13 lakh metric tonnes of stubble is produced annually in Malerkotla district, and baler owners can play a vital role in its disposal.
He further added that the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, has set a target of achieving zero stubble burning in the district this year. He appealed to all baler owners to prioritize villages that reported higher fire incidents in previous years and to give preference to managing stubble within their own district using their balers.
He also instructed the Chief Agriculture Officer to arrange visits for progressive farmers and youth to units involved in producing briquettes, fodder, and other materials from stubble, so they can be inspired to establish their own units.
ADC Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu encouraged baler owners by highlighting the state government’s serious efforts toward stubble management and transforming it into a source of income. He shared that the Punjab Government, through the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology and the Department of Environment, is providing assistance for establishing pellet-making units (stubble briquettes).
He further informed that the Pollution Control Board has allocated ₹50 crore in financial aid for setting up pellet production units. This support will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For non-torrefied briquette industrial units, ₹28 lakh will be provided for a 1 TPH (ton per hour) plant and ₹70 lakh for a 5 TPH plant. For torrefied briquette units, ₹28 lakh for a 1 TPH plant and up to ₹1.40 crore for a 5 TPH plant will be provided.
Summary:
The Additional Deputy Commissioner convened a meeting with all baler owners in the district to discuss operational challenges and streamline stubble management practices.