SHIMLA: The Samyukta Kisan Manch of over 28 farmers' organisations has strongly condemned the Pollution Control Board's decision to impose a hefty fine of Rs 1 lakh on an apple farmer from Rohru in Shimla district while big companies and other offenders dump debris and trash into to the rivers and stream in Himachal and go scot-free under its nose.
The fine was levied on the farmer for allegedly disposing of apples in a drain during heavy rains and floods.
In fact farmer had no choice other than dumping his rotted apple consignment into the drains as he could not transport it to the market that would cost dearly, the farmers said.
SKM convenor Harish Chauhan and co-convener Sanjay Chauhan demand an immediate repeal of this controversial decision by the government.
In a scathing critique, the forum asserts that this move by the Pollution Control Board is grossly unjustifiable, particularly in the backdrop of the ongoing crisis faced by farmers, Baagwan and the common man.
With crop failures plaguing the state, farmers are grappling with severe economic hardships, making the fine appear discriminatory and insensitive.
They point out a disturbing double standard in the enforcement of environmental laws.
They charge that numerous companies and contractors operating within the state openly flout regulations by indiscriminately disposing of debris, soil, and other hazardous materials into rivers, drains, and forests.
Astonishingly, the Pollution Control Board has remained conspicuously passive, failing to take any substantial action against these environmental offenders, they alleged.
This year's heavy rains and floods have exposed the glaring consequences of this negligence, with widespread devastation occurring along rivers and drains in the state. Consequently, the Pollution Control Board's actions are now under scrutiny.
Not only farmers, the common public have also expressed its outcry against the pollution board as its own office premises are in a mess.
The pollution board does not fine the pollution-emitting private and HRTC buses operating daily in the Shimla city. It does not fine the Shimla municipal corporation for dumping trash into the nalla next to the HP Tourism Lift and the nalla that flow next to pollution board, Him Parivesh, from Vikasnagar to the Bada Gaon.
The Samyukta Kisan Manch warns that if the government does not promptly address their demands and the Pollution Control Board does not retract the discriminatory fine of Rs 1 lakh, the consequences could be dire as the farmers would be forced to take to the streets.
The onus is now on the authorities to rectify this perceived injustice and demonstrate their commitment to equitable environmental regulation.
