Punjab Reports Over 5,000 Cases of Stubble Burning, Farmers Fined Nearly ₹80 Lakh

Patiala, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The issue of stubble burning continues to escalate in Punjab during the rice harvesting season. As of November 10, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) reported a total of 5,002 incidents of stubble burning across the state. Inspections were conducted on 4,185 farms, where physical confirmation of crop residue burning was found at 1,833 locations.

According to the report, a total fine of ₹79.75 lakh has been imposed under the Environmental Compensation (EC) for 1,574 cases, with ₹36.40 lakh already recovered. Additionally, First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed in 1,155 cases, while 1,342 incidents have been recorded in the revenue records.

Tarn Taran district leads with 676 cases, where 654 farms were inspected and burning was confirmed at 310 sites. Following Tarn Taran, Firozpur reported 654 cases, Sangrur had 566, Bathinda noted 439, and Patiala recorded 339 incidents.

In Patiala, 339 stubble burning cases have been logged, with inspections conducted on 260 farms and confirmation of burning at 166 sites. The district has implemented environmental compensation in 115 cases, amounting to ₹5.80 lakh in fines, of which ₹2.40 lakh has been collected. Furthermore, FIRs have been registered in 123 cases, with 97 entries made in the revenue records. Authorities have also issued 225 warning notices.

The report highlights that prosecution actions have been initiated against 18 supervisory officials for negligence related to stubble burning, including five from Firozpur and thirteen from Tarn Taran. However, no charges have yet been filed against any officials, and none have been suspended.

Currently, Punjab has a total rice cultivation area of 32.87 lakh hectares, with 96.10% of the harvest completed. Despite nearing the end of the harvesting season, stubble burning remains a significant challenge for both the administration and the pollution control board.