Sugarcane farmers in Beed have said the electricity cables passing above their fields are the cause of frequent fires leading to the burning of the cane in their fields, reports PTI.
As many as 13 incidents of crop burning were reported in 2020-21 and five people have got compensation of Rs 9.99 lakh so far, according to the MSEDCL officials. In 2021-22, nine incidents have been reported in which two received compensation of Rs 60,000, and queries have been raised in five cases. Two cases are yet to be resolved.
A sugarcane farmer from the district who had lost sugarcane crop grown over 7.5 acres of his land said that the sudden fluctuations in the power cables created sparks that burnt down all the 400-tonne cane grown in his field. He had toiled for 14 months and spent Rs 1.5 lakh to grow the crop. He was expecting Rs 8 lakh from the crop that was gutted in the fire.
The power lines that pass only two to three feet above the cane crop are the cause of sudden fires in the vicinity, said another farmer.
Mangesh Gondavale, MSEDCL (Marathwada) joint director said, “The electricity poles get tilted due to lack of firm soil causing cables to touch crops increasing chances of catching fire. We are trying to resolve these issues on a priority basis and urge farmers to inform us if they come across such situations to avert further damage.”
