Suspension sentence to Numberdar for burning stubble

Moga Deputy Commissioner, who took seriously a numberdar who burned paddy stubble in his field in a village, ordered the dismissal of this ‘erroneous’ headman in the village.

“He is supposed to deter others from farm fires but he is also involved in this violation of law. It is a serious crime,” said Vishesh Sarangal, DC Moga.

The DC said Numberdar Sukhdev Singh of Kanniyan Khas village Dharamkot had violated the orders of the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

A numberdar, also known as Lambardar, was a village headman who collected taxes during the British Raj. They were appointed according to the Mahalwari system.

Currently, a treasurer is appointed by the Deputy Commissioner under the Punjab Land Revenue Act.

DC Moga said Sukhdev Singh, the in-charge of the village, had violated government orders and polluted the environment by burning paddy stubble in his field. He was also directed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dharamkot, not to burn stubble and to make other villagers aware about it. The suspension order was issued under rule 25 (i) (b) of the Punjab Land Revenue Rules.