Chandigarh, November 4, 2025: Moga Deputy Commissioner Sagar Setia and Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Gandhi joined local farmers in the fields to demonstrate stubble management techniques, setting an example for Punjab’s ongoing campaign against crop residue burning.
The demonstration, held in the Bagha Purana block, involved officers tilling harvested paddy fields to encourage post-harvest soil management and reduce air pollution. Officials said the initiative was part of the Mann government’s larger effort to replace stubble burning with sustainable farming practices.
“Stubble burning is not compulsory; if we work together, every problem can be solved,” Setia said, stressing that the district administration is focused on providing farmers easy access to eco-friendly machinery. SSP Gandhi added that police and civil administration were working jointly to ensure compliance with anti-burning regulations while supporting farmers through awareness drives.
According to the administration, Moga has added 320 new farm machines to its existing 4,800 units this year, and storage sites for crop residue have been created on 62 acres across 40 villages. Around 27 cluster officers and 152 nodal officers have been deployed to monitor and respond to field fires.
Officials said the initiative is aimed not just at environmental protection but also public safety. Crop burning contributes heavily to dense smog and poor visibility on highways, leading to numerous accidents every winter. “Avoiding stubble burning means cleaner air and safer roads,” a senior official noted.
The campaign reflects the Mann government’s stated philosophy of participatory governance. “If the farmer is the backbone of Punjab, the environment is its soul,” said a spokesperson for the state government.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly urged officers to engage directly with the public, saying governance must move “from files to the fields.” The administration’s involvement in Moga is being viewed as an example of this approach — one that blends empathy with action.
