Rs 500/acre for farmers: NHRC to take up issue with Centre if Punjab gives it in writing

During the meeting, Punjab Chief Secretary VK Janjua is learnt to have told NHRC chairperson Arun Kumar Mishra that while his state and Delhi had agreed to pay Rs 500 each per acre, the Centre had refused to pay Rs 1500 as bonus to the farmers

3 min readChandigarhNov 19, 2022 07:41 AM IST

The NHRC on Friday held the third hearing of chief secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi on air pollution due to paddy stubble burning in NCR in light of reports submitted by them in response to its directions in the last meeting. (File)

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday asked Punjab government to give it in writing that the state and Delhi government were ready to pay Rs 500 each per acre to farmers for not burning paddy stubble.

During the meeting, Punjab Chief Secretary VK Janjua is learnt to have told NHRC chairperson Arun Kumar Mishra that while his state and Delhi had agreed to pay Rs 500 each per acre, the Centre had refused to pay Rs 1500 as bonus to the farmers.

“To this, the NHRC chairperson said that the state government should write to the commission and they will take up the matter with the Centre. We will prepare a note and send it,” a functionary of Punjab government, privy to the developments, said.

The Commission had asked Punjab to provide data on the crop reside management (CRM) machines available for utilisation. It had stated that compared to the year 2021, CRM machines available for utilization in the current year is 1,05,310. There is an increase of only 14,888 machines, whereas as per the report, purchase of 30000 machines during the current year had been sanctioned. The commission had asked the state to give reasons for shortfall in the purchase of the CRM machines. The state has sought time for compiling the data.

The Commission had also asked for details of bio-decomposer used in the state. Punjab Agricultural University experts, who joined the virtual meeting, informed the Commission that the bio-decomposer was used at a few places but it was not effective against stubborn paddy straw. Mishra is learnt to have asked the state to give an affidavit on this issue also so that it could be taken up with Centre.

Punjab government also told the Commission that the number of fire incidents in paddy fields had decreased by 31 per cent this year owing to the government’s measures to check the menace.

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The panel said the Punjab government would need to have dedicated machines for poor farmers to harvest and dispose of stubble. These machines should be procured and provided free of cost to the poor farmers through panchayats or cooperatives to bring down incidents of stubble burning to zero.

It asked for specific details of stubble generated, how much was burnt and how much was processed effectively by specifying place-wise incidents. It also asked the government to find alternatives if crop residue decomposer machines were not effective.

On November 10, the commission had also heard the chief secretaries of the four states after taking a suo motu cognizance of unabated air pollution in Delhi-NCR as reported in media. It had stated that after considering the responses of the concerned states and the Government of NCT of Delhi, and the deliberations thereon, it is of the opinion that the farmers are burning stubble under compulsion.

Seeking further reports, the next date of hearing has been fixed for November 25.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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