Farmers say this is the only method they have for managing farm residue as government does not extend monetary help for scientific methods (File photo- Praveen Negi)

Soon Delhi-NCR will be gasping for breath as the harvesting season begins in Punjab and Haryana, and farmers dispose of paddy by burning them. In Mohali, paddy fields are already on fire, despite NGT and HC orders against burning paddy. Farmers claimed that they are forced to burn paddy as the state government has neither announced any compensation nor provided any machinery to clear the fields. Farmer unions have demanded compensation between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 per acre to scientifically manage farm residue.

"It is a compulsion. We do not have resources to manage the waste on our own. You give us labour charges and provide machinery, we will stop burning paddy," said Bant Singh Bant, 65, a farmer in Punjab.

Another farmer Taranjeet Singh, 35, said farmers lack knowledge of scientific management of farm residue. The situation is no different in neighbouring Haryana. The state governments have made provisions to impose fines on farmers who burn paddy. So far, the Punjab government has received nearly 200 complaints of paddy burning, of which 80 have been issued challans. These farmers have been asked to pay Rs 2,500 for burning paddy in feels up to two acres and Rs 5,500 for burning the residues in three to five acres and Rs 7,500 if the area exceeds five acres.