Stubble Burning: BKS seeks MSP for crop residue, withdrawal of fines against farmers

The Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s observations and suggestions on stubble burning and air pollution in Delhi-NCR, urging state governments and local administrations to implement the court’s recommendations and refrain from penalising farmers. The farmer organisation said developing a viable market for crop residue could offer a more sustainable solution by converting agricultural waste into an economic resource.

BKS also demanded the immediate withdrawal of fines imposed and FIRs registered against farmers for stubble burning, arguing that farmers were being unfairly targeted for the region’s worsening air pollution. It pointed out that other major contributors, including vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, also needed to be addressed effectively.

The Supreme Court on 6 November observed that stubble burning was only one of several sources of Delhi-NCR pollution, pointing to vehicular and industrial emissions and citing clearer skies during the COVID-19 lockdown despite instances of stubble burning.


Reacting to the Supreme Court hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Mohini Mohan Mishra, All India General Secretary of BKS, said the court's observations reflected the need to examine the multiple sources of pollution rather than hold farmers solely responsible.

He said state governments must move beyond paperwork, identify the actual sources of pollution on the ground and take concrete measures to address them instead of repeatedly blaming farmers.

Referring to the court's observations, Mishra pointed to the example of the Covid-19 lockdown, when stubble burning continued in some areas but Delhi's air quality and skies were considerably clearer. This, he said, indicated that factors other than agricultural residue burning also play a significant role in determining pollution levels in the national capital.

BKS backs MSP, government procurement of stubble

Welcoming the Supreme Court's suggestion to explore a procurement mechanism for agricultural residue, Mishra said the government should establish a system under which farmers can sell stubble at a remunerative price, on the lines of minimum support price (MSP) and government procurement of agricultural produce.

"We support the Supreme Court's suggestion that, just as the government procures crops, a system of government procurement or minimum support price should also be established for stubble. This would ensure that farmers receive financial benefits from agricultural residue and have an economic incentive to sell it rather than burn it," he said.

BKS also demanded that governments provide farmers with the necessary machinery, infrastructure and financial assistance for scientific management of crop residue.

It said farmers should not be expected to bear the additional cost of stubble management, particularly when the availability of affordable equipment and viable disposal mechanisms remains a challenge.

The organisation urged governments to either directly bear the cost of stubble management or ensure that the required resources are made readily available to farmers.

Reiterating its demand for relief to the farming community, the BKS called for the immediate cancellation of fines and withdrawal of FIRs registered against farmers in connection with stubble burning.

The organisation maintained that addressing air pollution requires a practical, farmer-friendly approach that combines financial incentives, infrastructure support and effective regulation of emissions from all sectors.