DW BUREAU / LUDHIANA Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma on Monday said that Ludhiana has witnessed 37-percent reduction in stubble burning cases this year in the district as compared to the previous season. Addressing the farmers and others during Kisan Mela organized by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare department, the Deputy Commissioner said that as per statistics, the district has witnessed a dip in stubble burning incidents by 37-percent this time. He said that last year from September 15 to October 31, 1316 incidents of stubble burning were reported which has now reduced to 826 in the same period this year. He lauded the farmers for joining the battle against the menace and contributing towards preserving the precious natural resources by shunning the stubble burning. Sharma who also felicitated 13 farmers for not burning the paddy stubble, said that farmers should not indulge in this practice which was causing irreparable damage to the environment. He said that the state government was already giving huge subsidies to the farmers to purchase ultra-modern machinery for in situ management of the paddy stubble. Lauding the efforts of the Agriculture department for holding such melas, the Deputy Commissioner said that such melas were very helpful for further sharpening the expertise of farmers. He said that besides apprising farmers about the use of end technology in agriculture such melas were also helpful in giving vital guidance to farmers regarding crop management and soil health. Addressing the gathering, CJM-cum-DLSA Secretary PS Kaleka asked the progressive farmers to disseminate the message of the anti-stubble burning campaign in their areas to ensure a clean environment. He said that shunning of the stubble burning would be humble and befitting tribute to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji who gave the message of Pawan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharat Mahat. (editor@dailyworld.in)