Punjab records the highest spike in a single day with 730 cases of stubble burning

Sangrur reported the highest 163 cases, followed by Ferozepur 121, Bathinda 80, Muktsar 64 and Mansa 62. On the corresponding date last year, the state had recorded 2,003 farm fire incidents.

Under the new rules, farmers with land of less than two hectares are liable ₹5,000 per stubble burning, while those with two hectares or more but less than five hectares are liable for ₹10,000. Growers who have land of more than five hectares pay an environmental compensation of €5. ₹30,000 per incident. The fines were ₹2,500, 5,000, and ₹15,000 under three categories as per 2023 rules.

Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Punjab Remote Sensing Center (PRSC) start monitoring farm fires from September 15 every year.

An official said nearly 30-32% of rice is yet to be harvested and farmers now have a very short window to sow wheat.

“This could lead to an increase in the number of farm fires. The next 10 to 12 days will be crucial when it comes to farm fires,” said an official, pleading anonymity.

Going by the trends of stubble burning reported during the latter stages of the crop season, as much as 57% of the total cases were recorded between November 8 and 30 last year. Of the total 36,663 cases reported last year, 15,685 cases were recorded in this period alone. In 2022, 35% of the total number of cases were reported during this period.

Meanwhile, the state government’s data suggests that various agencies have taken punitive action in 73% of the total 6,029 cases till Friday, including FIRs, red entries in revenue records and imposition of environmental compensation.

According to the Daily Action Report (ATR) submitted to PPCB, based on inspections of 4,394 active stubble burning areas by the field teams, environmental compensation has been imposed in 2,294 cases (38%) of the total cases, with fines ranging from a total of ₹60.17 lakh so far this season.

Meanwhile, as many as 2,282 (39%) red entries have been made in the farmers’ revenue records for burning rice residue.

The data also shows that the state police have registered FIRs in 45% (2,768) of the cases under Section 223 (disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

“We had issued strict instructions to the field staff, including district heads, before the start of the paddy harvesting season, to take punitive action against those involved in stubble burning. We are ensuring that cases of farm fires are closely monitored and prompt action is taken against those who burn crop residues,” added a senior official, who declined to be named.

It may be mentioned that the state government had imposed environmental compensation (fine) only in 9% of cases till November 7, 2023.

According to last year’s ATR, out of a total of 19,463 cases reported till November 7, 2023, the state had imposed environmental compensation of ₹51.70 lakh in 1,851 cases alone. However, last year, only 18 FIRs were registered till November 7, while there were no red entries.

It was only after the Supreme Court issued directions last year that the state took strict action against the farmers and started taking punitive action after November 7.

In 2023, out of the total 36,663 cases, FIRs were registered in 932 cases, while environmental compensation worth ₹1.67 crore was minted in 7,405 cases. In 340 cases, red entries were made in the land registers.

Stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab and adjoining areas is one of the major contributors to the deteriorating air quality index in the winter months in the northern region including Delhi and NCR.