Pilibhit admin to award farmers for crop residue supply to cow shelters

PILIBHIT: To encourage farmers to give up the practice of stubble burning and adopt green alternatives, Pilibhit district administration has launched a scheme to award those farmers who supply the residue of paddy or cane crop to cow shelters.
The residue will either be mixed with other ingredients to make cattle feed or used to strengthen the sheds to protect the bovines from the harsh winter.
Pulkit Khare, DM, said the farmers will be identified for best performance in each block and tehsil area on a weekly basis and awarded Gau Mitra certificates.
Deputy collector of Pilibhit sadar circle Ramdas has been designated as nodal officer for this scheme, Khare said.
Farmers will be paid at prescribed rate through MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee Act) or the state finance commission on collection of the crop residue. The transportation of the residue from field to cow shelter will be managed by the animal husbandry department, the DM added.
Government officials like SDMs, tehsildars and block development officers will also be awarded for outstanding performance in promoting supply of crop residue to cow shelters, he said.