With paddy harvesting picking up and stubble burning on the rise in Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal has come out in support of the farmers, saying it will not let them be victimised for burning crop remains.
The State government had imposed a ban on stubble burning to check pollution and other health risks.
‘Will not allow cases’
SAD president Sukhbir Badal said the party would not allow any cases to be registered against farmers for burning stubble in despair after failing to get any assistance from the State government to tackle this problem.
“Our stand is clear. It is the responsibility of the government to help farmers to manage crop residue due to the huge cost involved in this task. In case it is unable to do this it cannot harass, threaten, penalise and register cases against farmers,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Badal also urged the Congress government to announce a financial package for the farmers immediately.
