Stubble burning cases surge in Punjab: 194 farm fires recorded in a day, seasonal count reaches 1,007; FIRs mounts to 246
A total of 246 FIRs have also been registered, including 165 in Tarn Taran and 24 in Amritsar.
PTC News Desk: Punjab recorded 194 farm fire incidents on October 29, nearly doubling the number reported a week earlier and taking the season’s total to 1,007, according to official data.
Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Ferozepur accounted for 672 of the incidents. More than 90 per cent of the paddy-growing area in Tarn Taran and Amritsar has already been harvested. Punjab recorded 542 farm fires between September 15 and October 23. The total rose to 813 by October 28 before reaching 1,007 after the latest increase.
Tarn Taran reported the highest number of incidents at 397, followed by Amritsar with 171 and Ferozepur with 104, according to reports. Authorities have imposed environmental compensation fines of more than Rs 17 lakh in 349 stubble-burning cases, recovering over Rs 13 lakh so far.
A total of 246 FIRs have also been registered, including 165 in Tarn Taran and 24 in Amritsar. The cases were filed under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which concerns disobedience of orders issued by a public servant.
Monitoring of farm fires begins annually on September 15, two weeks before paddy procurement starts on October 1. Last week, a high-level team led by Rajesh Verma, chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, reviewed the situation with deputy commissioners and other officials from Amritsar and Tarn Taran.
The meeting focused on managing paddy stubble and reducing, and ultimately eliminating, stubble burning. The team assessed how stubble was being used on and off farms, along with the facilities and infrastructure available for its management in the two districts.
The team also reviewed steps taken by the districts following the rise in farm fires. The commission said paddy stubble should be used as fuel wherever feasible in thermal power plants, brick kilns and industries.
It called for timely action on the ground and directed officers to visit villages regularly. Officials were also asked to inform farmers about available stubble-management facilities and ensure that machinery and other resources reached them promptly.
With Tarn Taran continuing to report one of the highest numbers of stubble-burning incidents, its deputy commissioner was directed to make the issue a priority and strengthen prevention and management efforts.