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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Haryana farm fire data highlights government's lapses
Despite repeated government assurances of robust control measures, Haryana recorded 1,828 farm fire complaints during the rabi season crop residue burning season that officially ended on May 31, exposing significant gaps in enforcement and compliance across the state. Data from the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) reveals a season marked by high incident counts and monitoring failures, casting doubt on the efficacy of state-led efforts to curb crop residue burning. Hindustan Times teams visited more than 20 villages in May and witnessed over 50 active fires in a single day across prominent agricultural districts including Jind, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Hisar, Rohtak, Rewari, Gurugram, Nuh, and Mahendragarh. In smaller villages, entire fields spanning hundreds of acres were visibly scorched, suggesting widespread disregard for crop residue management guidelines. The agriculture department's Red Entry Summary Report recorded 2,301 confirmed fire incidents and 202 suspected cases across 18 districts as of May 3, 2025 — figures that far exceed officially acknowledged complaint logs. Jhajjar district topped the list with 1,004 cases, followed by Jind (259) and Sirsa (158).Urbanised zones like Gurugram and Nuh reported zero incidents, suggesting either exceptional compliance or chronic underreporting. Rabi crop residue burning, primarily involving wheat stubble after the April-May harvest, represents the lesser-known but significant second wave of agricultural fires that plague north Indian states annually. Unlike the heavily scrutinised rice stubble burning in October-November — which coincides with winter air pollution peaks and garners widespread attention — wheat residue burning occurs during summer months when better wind dispersion often masks its environmental impact. However, the practice remains equally damaging to soil health, contributes substantially to carbon emissions, and destroys valuable organic matter that could enrich farmland. The unchecked fires reveal persistent gaps in agricultural policy implementation, as farmers face similar time pressures to clear fields quickly before monsoon crop sowing, yet receive comparatively less government attention, subsidised machinery access, and enforcement oversight than during the more visible post-rice burning period. For farmers, an age old issue Farmers, largely unaffected by enforcement threats, openly set their fields ablaze, underscoring the ineffectiveness of current deterrents. Many villagers admitted to HT that there is virtually no fear of reprisal from local authorities. 'We understand the environmental damage, but the available alternatives remain prohibitively expensive and impractical for smallholder farmers like us,' said Rajbir Singh, a smallholder from Meham block in Rohtak, gesturing towards the charred fields behind him. 'Even renting or purchasing a rotavator—a basic, general purpose tillage machine—is simply beyond our means,' he added. Sunita Devi from Jhajjar's Mandothi village shared similar frustrations. 'Government officials keep announcing schemes and subsidies, but we hardly see any equipment in our villages. The paperwork is endless and machines are given only to large landholders.' In Jind district, Ramesh Lathar of Karsala village emphasised financial limitations. 'The incentives offered don't cover even half the cost of machines or labour needed. This is the only option to clear fields effectively before the wheat season begins.' Suresh Mann, another farmer from Bahu Akbarpur in Rohtak, said the entire system feels skewed against small cultivators. 'They want us to use expensive machines, but we barely earn enough to meet our daily expenses. Give us real help on the ground—machines, manpower, or even shared cooperatives. Until then, these fires will continue.' Meena Rani from Sirsa highlighted the urgency of time constraints farmers face. 'We barely have a few days between harvesting rice and sowing wheat. Without quick, affordable alternatives, burning remains the only viable method for us.' Baldev Singh, a farmer from Hisar's outskirts, highlighted weak enforcement as a critical factor. 'Authorities see the fires, they even drive past them, but no action is taken. Fines are rare, and monitoring is weak.' However, district officials maintain they are actively monitoring and taking action against violators. Former Rohtak deputy commissioner Dhirender Khadgata said the district administration took strict steps during the 2024-25 Rabi season. HARSAC flagged 89 active fire locations in Rohtak, with 43 confirmed as stubble burning incidents. FIRs were lodged in 43 cases, and fines of ₹5,000 per violation were imposed in 40 instances. 'We are actively monitoring the situation. Enforcement teams have been deployed, fines levied, and legal action initiated wherever necessary,' Khadgata said. Former Jhajjar deputy commissioner Pardeep Dahiya said his administration identified 90 active fire locations and registered 11 FIRs against violators. 'Farmers found guilty will be barred from selling their crop to government procurement agencies for two harvest seasons,' he said. HT reached out to the DCs currently in charge of the districts but didn't get a comment till the time of print. Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said the district recorded fewer incidents due to swift action. 'Two cases were reported last week and we took swift action against those responsible. The incidents are not recorded by the safelight but we had received several complaints,' he said. Despite official claims of zero incidents in Gurugram and Nuh, farmers from these districts paint a different picture. Mahesh Yadav of Gurugram district said many farmers still aren't fully informed about the damaging effects of burning stubble. 'There needs to be more targeted educational outreach at the grassroots level.' In Nuh, farmer Ayesha Khan emphasised the practical challenge. 'The government must offer real, accessible support. Without it, farmers find it impossible to change their age-old practices.' Vikram Malik from Pataudi summed up farmers' sentiments clearly. 'Until practical, affordable solutions reach our fields, burning will continue, no matter what the government says.' An ecological crisis unfolds Environmental activists warn that persistent stubble burning causes severe ecological damage and public health risks. 'Small villages receive little effective awareness outreach. Farmers remain unaware of long-term environmental harm, and there's no real fear of punishment,' said activist Roma J Vinayak. Vaishali Rana, an environmentalist from Gurugram, expressed concern about air pollution impacts. 'Rural awareness drives barely scratch the surface. It's not enough to run campaigns only in big towns or district headquarters.' The ecological toll extends beyond air quality. Birders and conservationists report distressing scenes of wildlife casualties in scorched fields. Rakesh Ahlawat, a birder from Dighal village in Jhajjar, found four damaged eggs and three dead baby birds in a single field. 'Hundreds of trees have been scorched. It's heartbreaking to witness innocent birds die like this every season.' Agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana said monitoring is underway and most reported incidents have been found accidental. 'Action is being taken according to rules against farmers found deliberately burning crop residue. Agriculture Department officials have been deployed to investigate incidents on the ground.' Despite various policy measures, including strict fines and enforcement drives, ground-level actions remain largely symbolic. The persistent gap between official assurances and reality underscores the need for stronger policy implementation and genuine follow-through on alternatives that reach farmers in a timely, affordable manner. 'At HARSAC, we monitor stubble burning incidents in real-time through high-resolution satellite imagery and share geo-tagged alerts, complete with time-stamped visuals, directly with district administrations to enable immediate action,' said Dr Sultan Singh, director, Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC). He added: 'While this system has significantly strengthened surveillance across Haryana and helped curb large-scale burning, there remain serious gaps — especially in districts like Gurugram and Nuh, where we've received anecdotal and media reports of fires, yet no corresponding satellite detections were recorded. This can happen due to limitations such as cloud cover, fires set during night hours, or small-scale burnings that fall below the detection threshold. It is critical that local enforcement officials supplement satellite inputs with ground-level vigilance and community reporting mechanisms to ensure that such incidents are not overlooked. Without bridging this visibility gap, we risk severely underestimating the ecological damage and losing the trust of affected communities.'
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Cancer survivors share stories of resilience
1 2 Ranchi: Sunita Devi from Hazaribag, diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2023, travels to Ranchi every 21 days for follow-up. After eight rounds of chemotherapy, she is standing strong and gives other courage to fight this battle. Sunita was among many such cancer survivors who shared their journey of perseverance during a two-day event organised by the Jharkhand Cancer Center to mark National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday. "There were days when I felt like giving up. But I told myself that I must fight. I come alone for treatment, manage everything by myself but I am still here, strong. I hope that in this fight, I will emerge victorious." Harishit Gari (15) from Ratu has been battling blood cancer since 2022. His mother, Priyanka, a daily wager, provides unwavering support. Harishit needs monthly blood transfusions. He has been balancing it with studies. "Some days, I miss my class. But I want to study and become a doctor and relieve everyone of their miseries," he added. Priyanka said, "Treatment has been expensive. Every time I have to take him to a hospital, I miss work which means no pay. " Dr Kumar Saurabh said, "The experiences that these people shared tell us how important it is to make treatment affordable. We need to ensure none fights the battle alone, especially not because they cannot afford it."
NDTV
25-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
No End In Sight For Dharavi's Water Issues
Mumbai: As temperatures continue to rise and Mumbai braces for a harsh summer, Dharavi's water crisis is set to intensify. Various pockets within the sprawling slum do not receive water for three to four days at a stretch. Erratic supply and growing dependence on private water tankers not only strain residents financially but also expose them to serious health risks every day. "Nearly 70% of our home space is filled with water drums and pots. We get water for just a few hours, shared by, at least, five families. The drinking water pipelines are leaking and often run over or through gutters," said Nijam Khan, a resident of 90-feet road. "The water pressure is low, and the tanker mafia makes life worse. We've lived like this for decades. I just hope redevelopment happens quickly so that we can finally get clean, regular water like others in Mumbai," he added. Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, gets its daily water supply from the Bhandup reservoir. Water is supplied once a day across its seven wards, anytime between 6 am and 10 pm. However, unauthorised water connections have increased in recent times, resulting in reduced pressure and unequal distribution. According to sources, almost 50% of the connections in Dharavi are illegal, drawing water meant for legal users. "While MHADA, SRA, and private buildings in Dharavi receive regular water bills from the BMC, the informal tenements share a single BMC meter and residents are charged a fee for water supply," the source added. Residents from different areas have echoed similar concerns. "Water pressure is a joke - it doesn't flow, just drips," said Sunita Devi from Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. "The tanker mafia demands spot payments and charges more during shortages. The authorities should act," she added. The cost of a 10,000-litre tanker ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 per litre but can shoot up to Rs 5,000 per litre during emergencies and peak summers. "We have to choose between paying for water or buying essentials. It's a daily struggle," said another resident from Muslim Nagar. Contamination is another pressing issue. Waterwalla, a social enterprise working in slums, has noted frequent leaks and bacterial contamination. Their report highlighted high turbidity, odour, and presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli due to poor infrastructure. Experts from the International Institute of Population Sciences have observed that due to narrow lanes and dense households, drinking water and sewage lines often run side by side, making residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases. While efforts like a new sewage treatment plant are underway, residents believe that only full-scale redevelopment will bring lasting change. "We want clean drinking water, fresh air, and a dignified life," said Mahima Jaiswal from Matunga Labour Camp. "Basic necessities should not be treated as a luxury," she added.
Russia Today
17-04-2025
- General
- Russia Today
Burning stoves, empty pockets: The hidden cost of feeding India's children
In the sweltering kitchen of a primary school in Sitapur, approximately 80km from Lucknow, Sunita Devi, 45, carefully stirs an enormous pot of dal as she has done for over a decade. The steam rises, fogging her glasses, but her hands move with precision. Sunita represents just one among nearly 2.5 million women across India who serve as the backbone of the country's Midday Meal Scheme, now officially known as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) – a program that feeds 120 million children in 1.1 million schools nationwide. The program dates back to 1925 when it was first introduced for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation, in modern-day Chennai in the south. The initiative gained momentum in the mid-1980s, when states including Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu universalized cooked meal programs using their own resources. The watershed moment came on August 15, 1995, when the government launched the National Program of Nutritional Support to Primary Education, which operated nationwide by 1997-98. On November 28, 2001, the Supreme Court directed all state governments and union territories to implement the Midday Meal Scheme, in which every child in every government and government-aided school was to be served a cooked meal with at least 300 kilocalories and 8-12 grams of protein per day for a minimum of 200 days per year. The program's scope was significantly broadened in 2002 to include children studying in education centers in areas where government and government-aided schools are not available. Children at a government school in Srinagar, Kashmir, October 15, 2022. © Faisal Khan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The majority of the Indian states began providing cooked and warm meals by 2003, and eventually, around 120 million students were covered under the program by 2006, which is now regarded as the world's largest school food program. According to Indian NGO Child Rights and You (CRY), the Midday Meal Scheme has had a significant impact on various aspects of children's education and health, including 'a noticeable decline in malnutrition among children benefiting from the program.' Multiple studies also noted improved academic performance among beneficiaries of the scheme. The program has also contributed in reducing gender disparities in education, with girls showing higher enrollment rates in schools offering the meals. Fragile support However, for millions of midday meal workers, the reality on the ground is brutal. Since 2012, Sunita has prepared meals that feed hundreds of hungry school children daily, yet her compensation amounts to mere pennies for her labor. 'I started about 10 years ago at 500 rupees (0.5$) per month. Now I get 2,000 rupees ($23) monthly. It's difficult to manage with such high inflation, but whenever we ask about increasing our payment, we're just told it will happen someday. Nobody tells us when,' Sunita explains, wiping sweat from her brow. The woman says the school she is working at is located in her village, making it difficult to seek work elsewhere. Working in the village is safer than venturing outside for employment. Despite the low pay, she acknowledges that the money she earns helps support her household. Not only that, the program helps Sunita's children get proper meals, she adds. Students waiting for their midday meal in Tehatta, India, December 28, 2019. © Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images 'I am not financially well off and this is the reason that I am working here. The great help I am getting by working here is that my children who study in the same primary school also get and it relieves me a lot to see my seven-year-old eat properly because at home I cannot guarantee him a three square meal along with milk and eggs,' she told RT. Many cooks like Sunita in different parts of the country receive an average salary of 2,000 rupees a month – around 67 rupees a day ($0.80). This is the pay for working in school kitchens in the scorching heat for 6-7 hours a day. Jyoti Singh from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal and Meera Jatav from Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district share similar stories to Sunita's. Jyoti explains that she receives work for only 9-10 months a year with a monthly payment of 2,000 rupees, while Meera receives even less at 1,650 rupees monthly, or just 55 rupees ($0.6) per day. 'How can anyone survive on 1,650 rupees alone for a month? Supporting a family is out of the question,' says Meera, who has worked as a cook for 12 years. 'Any vegetable costs at least 40-50 rupees per kilo. We can't even think about fruits. Dal and oil prices increase every month. We don't even have farming land to grow our own food.' She adds with visible frustration, 'We get just 55 rupees for a full day's work. And the worst part is that even this meager amount isn't paid on time. Sometimes we wait 6-7 months for our wages.' In most states, cooks working as assistants in the program are still paid according to the rate established in 2009 – 1,000 rupees ($11) per month. This means wages have remained unchanged for 15 years. A midday meal ready to serve to children in Indore, India, November 18, 2016. © Shankar Mourya/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Doing the math While state governments can increase this amount according to their discretion, the central government provides 60% of the designated amount, with state governments covering the remaining 40%. In mountainous states, this sharing ratio is 90:10. Cooks typically receive their honorarium for ten months, excluding the two-month summer vacation in May-June. The central government revealed in response to a parliamentary question that Kerala pays the highest at 12,000 rupees ($140) monthly, while Delhi, Goa, and several northeastern states among others remain at the minimum 1,000 rupees. The national minimum wage is 5,340 rupees ($62) per month or around 178 rupees ($2) per day. However, since cook-cum-helpers (CCHs) aren't recognized as laborers, the government isn't obligated to provide them minimum wages. In parliamentary responses, the government has repeatedly stated that 'CCHs are honorary workers who have come forward to provide social services.' Midday Meal cooks protest in Patna, India, March 7, 2025. © Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images The stagnation in Midday Meal workers' wages stands in stark contrast to other government compensation. Over the past 12 years, parliamentary salaries have tripled, now reaching 100,000 rupees ($1,160) monthly. Entry-level government employees saw their starting salary increase from 2,550 rupees ($30) to 7,000 rupees ($81) under the Sixth Pay Commission in 2008, then to 18,000 rupees ($209) following the Seventh Pay Commission in 2015. Meanwhile, Midday Meal workers remain frozen in time, economically speaking. While school cooks' wages have barely increased, India's retail inflation rate has doubled over the past ten years. Though retail inflation has been brought under control in recent months – according to the Ministry of Statistics, it was 3.69% in February 2025, compared to 5.09% a year ago, peaking at nearly 7% in November 2020 – vulnerable sections of society have faced difficulties with the rising costs of food. Meeting the demands On December 3, 2024, hundreds of Midday Meal workers from 14 states gathered at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi under the banner of the Midday Meal Workers Federation of India. Their demands included job regularization, a minimum wage of 26,000 rupees ($301) monthly for all 12 months of the year, social security benefits, and pension provisions. These types of rallies have become common across the country over the years, but the core demands of the workers are yet to be met. 'It's very sad that the central government, which claims to empower women, hasn't increased Midday Meal workers' honorarium by even one rupee in the past 11 years,' says Malini Mesta, the general-secretary of the Midday Meal Workers Federation of India. She adds that Midday Meal workers should receive wages for 12 months like teachers and other staff, and it shouldn't be less than 26,000 rupees (around $300). 'More budgetary provisions should be made for the scheme. This program has been running for about 30 years, but workers who have worked in it for years receive nothing upon retirement. Workers get injured while cooking meals during school duty, some even die, but there's no provision for financial assistance,' Malini says. Association of Midday Meal Assistant Workers at a rally in Kolkata, India, May 30, 2023. © Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Pankaj Kumar of the Bihar State School Cooks Association echoes her concerns. His union has long demanded a 21,000 rupee ($243) honorarium for cooks, state employee status, and the cancelation of centralized kitchens, he said. 'Cooks only receive wages for 10 months. Besides cooking, they're made to do other work in schools. They're even made to wash dishes. In return, they're paid just 1,650 rupees monthly in the state, meaning 55 rupees per day. Can anyone support a family with such a meager amount?' Officials acknowledge that they receive regular requests for wage increases, but say wages can't be increased until there is a budget allocation. 'We're already paying more than many states and trying to ensure workers get as much work as possible,' N. Kumar, the deputy director of the Uttar Pradesh Midday Meal Authority, told RT. As Sunita returns to her kitchen the following day, the reality remains unchanged. She will continue feeding the nation's children for less than the cost of the vegetables she cooks. Like millions of her colleagues across India, she persists – an essential yet often overlooked supporter of the world's largest school meal program, awaiting recognition that always seems just out of reach.
