Haryana to cancel firearm licences of farmers who burnt crop residue

CHANDIGARH: In a deterrent measure to stop farmers in Haryana from burning stubble, which has become one of the reasons for massive air pollution, the state government has initiated the process to cancel their arms’ licences.


A large number of notices have been issued by the deputy commissioners of paddy sowing belts in the state to the farmers who were found to be involved in burning crop residue.

Maximum of such notices have been issued in Sirsa and Fatehabad, districts with high number of arms’ licences. The notices have been issued by the DCs, who also act as district magistrates, on receiving recommendations from the superintendents of police (SPs) of the area.

The notices are issued to farmers, who are booked under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC for burning stubble despite ban by the administration. On verification, if the police finds if the farmer who burnt stubble has been issued arms’ licence, a recommendation is made by the SP concerned to the DC for cancellation of that licence with the remarks that keeping of arms licence by such person is “not in public interest”.

On receiving SP’s recommendations, the DC issues a notice under Section 17 (3) of the Arms Act, 1959, beginning the process for cancellation of the licence of farmer concerned. According to the data received from the state agriculture department, nearly 1,500 FIRs have been registered till date in Haryana for burning stubble.

Talking to TOI, one of the DCs said the move will be of great help for the administration to pressurise farmers indulging in stubble burning . Getting an arms’ licence is not only a difficult task, but is also considered a matter of prestige in the local society. “This would certainly act as deterrent, as people do not want to lose their arms’ licences that they had procured for self-defence. Legally also, once FIR is registered against them for defiance of government order, a ground is made for cancellation of licence,” DC had informed.

When contacted, Keshni Anand Arora, chief secretary Haryana, said the decision to cancel licences have been taken by the DCs at their level to control the situation of stubble burning in the state.

Several other serious efforts are also being made by the authorities to stop stubble burning. “It was perhaps because of the stringent steps taken by the authorities, Haryana is able to control the incidents of fires due to stubble burning, when compared with Punjab. Clear directions have been issued, empowering DCs to take all possible steps to curb this menace,” Arora said.

According to S Narayanan, member secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), till date, nearly 6,296 cases of stubble fire have been reported in the state this season when compare with previous year’s 8,750 cases. He also confirmed that number of incidents of fire in Punjab is higher.