Punjab Crackdown: 2,787 Stubble Burning Cases, Rs 46 Lakh in Fines
Punjab records 2,787 stubble burning incidents, leading to heavy fines and hundreds of FIRs as the state battles air pollution.
Despite rigorous efforts by the state administration, stubble burning in Punjab continues to be a persistent challenge. According to the latest data released by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), a total of 2,787 incidents of paddy stubble burning were recorded across the state up to November 5.
Heavy Penalties and Legal Action
The state has adopted a multi-pronged approach to deter farmers from setting fire to crop residue. Field inspections were carried out at 2,194 locations, with stubble burning officially confirmed at 994 of these sites. This has led to significant financial and legal repercussions:
- Environmental Compensation: Fines totaling ₹46.10 lakh have been imposed in 914 cases. To date, the administration has recovered ₹24.85 lakh.
- Criminal Charges: A total of 710 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Revenue Records: To create a permanent record of the offense, 'red entries' have been made in the revenue records for 829 cases.
- Warnings: 786 warning or show-cause notices have been issued statewide.
District-Wise Breakdown: The Hotspots
The data reveals that certain districts are struggling more than others. Tarn Taran has emerged as the worst-hit area with 586 recorded incidents; of the 553 locations inspected there, burning was confirmed at 294 sites.
Other districts with high incident rates include:
- Ferozepur: 361 incidents (burning confirmed at 163 locations).
- Sangrur: 240 incidents (burning confirmed at 49 locations).
- Amritsar: 221 incidents.
- Bathinda: 216 incidents.
Focus on Patiala District
In Patiala, 156 incidents of stubble burning were reported. Out of 103 field inspections, 59 sites were confirmed to have been set on fire. The local administration imposed environmental compensation in 42 cases, totaling ₹2.15 lakh, with ₹70,000 recovered so far. Additionally, 27 FIRs were registered, 16 'red entries' were made in revenue records, and 25 warning notices were issued.
Harvesting Progress and Official Accountability
The scale of the challenge is reflected in the vast agricultural landscape of the state. Punjab has a total of 32.87096 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation. As of November 5, harvesting has been completed across 87.60 per cent of this area.
The crackdown is not limited to farmers alone. The PPCB report indicates that the administration is also holding its own staff accountable, with prosecution proceedings initiated against concerned officials in 18 separate cases.
While the imposition of fines, registration of FIRs, and revenue record entries show a strict stance against the practice, the continuing reports of fires across several districts highlight the ongoing struggle to eliminate stubble burning from the region.