India, March 13 -- Ludhiana

To curb environmental pollution, deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain on Thursday chaired a meeting with officials from various stakeholders and issued clear directions to ensure zero tolerance towards wheat straw (stubble) burning as wheat harvesting is scheduled to commence from April 1.

Presiding over the meeting, the DC directed the sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to immediately appoint nodal officers at the village level to maintain close surveillance in their respective areas and monitor any incidents of straw burning.

The deputy commissioner further instructed officials to launch widespread awareness campaigns among farmers through camps, Vans, other IEC materials, highlighting the severe harmful effec...