Chandigarh: Farmers’ organizations in Punjab criticized the actions taken against paddy cultivators for stubble burning and called for financial incentives for managing crop residue. Despite the ban on burning crop residue, many farmers still engage in this practice to prepare their fields for the upcoming wheat sowing season. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is frequently blamed for increased air pollution in Delhi following the paddy harvest in October and November. Due to the limited time available for sowing the Rabi crop—wheat—after harvesting paddy, some farmers resort to burning their fields to quickly remove crop residue.
From September 15 to September 29, Punjab recorded 95 fire incidents, with crop residue burning confirmed at 51 locations, according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The highest number of stubble burning incidents was reported in Amritsar at 55, followed by 11 in Tarn Taran, 10 in Patiala, four in Malerkotla, and three each in Barnala and Kapurthala. Environmental compensation fines totaling Rs 2.30 lakh have been imposed in 48 cases, with Rs 1.80 lakh already recovered. Additionally, 51 FIRs have been filed, including 22 in Amritsar and 11 in Tarn Taran, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for noncompliance with official orders.
The authorities also issued 32 red entries in the land records of offending farmers, primarily in Amritsar, which prevent these farmers from obtaining loans against their land or selling it. The documentation of farm fire incidents began on September 15 and will continue until November 30. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, criticized the state government for targeting farmers while taking no action against industries that significantly contribute to environmental pollution.
