Drought: Amravati reserves soybean and tur straw for cattle, bans industrial use

Amravati: To keep fodder available for livestock amid drought-like conditions caused by scanty rain this kharif season, the straw, husk and fodder from soybean and the coming tur crop in the district have been reserved solely for animal feed. Collector Ashish Yerekar, who heads the district disaster management authority, issued the order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Industries making 'gattu', biomass briquettes and pellets, and boiler units in factories, are completely barred from using the straw as fuel, buying it or transporting it. Any stock found in violation will be seized and the unit's industrial licence cancelled. Traders may not hoard straw for profit, and it may be sold only to local farmers, livestock keepers and recognised gaushalas.

Unauthorised transport of straw out of the district has been stopped; moving it for registered gaushalas or livestock keepers in drought-hit areas will need prior permission from the sub-divisional officer or tehsildar. Taluka-level flying squads headed by tehsildars and including animal husbandry officers, police inspectors, agriculture officers and industry inspectors have been set up to enforce the order. Criminal cases will be filed against violators, and seized material and vehicles will be deposited in government godowns or gaushalas.

Source: Hindusthan Samachar