Brick kilns affects paddy

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 4 MAY: After affecting the mango crop, smoke and ash from brick kilns are now causing problems for paddy cultivation in the district.

Smoke and ash spewing out the brick kiln chimneys have destroyed bodo paddy cultivation of at least six farmers at Anandaganj village under Gourhant gram panchayat in Chanchal-II block. Hot ash of the brick kiln chimneys settles on the paddy shoots and withers those while smoke chokes the paddy plants.

A sharecropper, Mr Nandalal Oraon, informed the Chanchal sub-divisional officer, Mr Subho Mukherjee, about the situation and sought his help to save their paddy fields from being affected by the ash. The SDO in turn discussed that matter with the additional district magistrate (land reforms) Mr K N Dew, who instructed the brick kiln owners to compensate the victims.

According to him, the departments concerned, including sub-divisional agriculture office, have been intimated about the decision and have been asked to take action against the brick kilns.

“Six families were affected due to the burning ash from brick kilns settling on the paddy fields. The paddy plants were burnt. I have talked about the matter to my higher authorities”, the SDO said. According to the latest information, the owner of the brick kiln in question has compensated Mr Nandaram Oraon with Rs 5,000.

 “I do not know if the other victims have received compensation or not. The brick kiln owner did not inform the administration about the matter”, Mr Oraon said.

A part owner of the brick kiln in question, Mr Ritesh Modi, however, claimed, “Smoke and ash from the brick kilns had not affected the paddy fields. Lack of rain and disease might have damaged the crop. We have received an instruction from the SDO asking us to compensate for the damaged crop. My elder brother has spoken to the farmers. I do not know if any compensation has been given to them.”