Ludhiana, Sep 12, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
Additional Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar on Friday directed all combine owners to harvest paddy only with Super SMS-equipped machines. He stated that only harvesters with BIS certification should be used and no combine should be operated without Super SMS.
Presiding over a meeting, Kumar directed Agriculture Department officials to create awareness among combine owners about the benefits of using Super SMS. If any combine is found operating without Super SMS, it will be seized and appropriate action will be taken. Besides, harvesting with combines has been banned from 6 PM to 10 AM.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner stated that the main objective of the meeting is to eradicate the menace of stubble burning in the district and, in accordance with the directives of the Air Quality Management Commission, New Delhi, to ensure proper management of paddy stubble by implementing Super SMS on all combine harvesters.
The ADC further informed that, as per the orders of the PPCB dated September 25, 2020, combine operators who fail to comply with this directive will be imposed an environmental compensation of Rs. 50,000 for the first violation, Rs. 75,000 for the second violation, and Rs. 1,00,000 for the third and subsequent violations.
Joint teams of PPCB, Agriculture Department, and police officials will be deployed in the fields to enforce this decision, and strict legal action, including the seizure of machinery, will be taken against violators in addition to the environmental compensation.
Kumar further explained that Super SMS is essential for better and easier management of paddy stubble and for facilitating wheat sowing without burning the stubble, which helps in reducing environmental pollution.
In the meeting, all operators collectively pledged to comply with the administration’s directives and promised to support the district administration’s efforts to prevent stubble burning and reduce environmental damage during the paddy harvesting season.
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