Punjab: Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, noted that the situation regarding stubble burning is under close observation. There has been a 63 percent reduction in such incidents compared to the previous year. Since September 15 of this year, 390 cases of stubble burning have been recorded, a significant drop from the 1,037 incidents reported during the same timeframe last year.
The board has strengthened its enforcement measures, taking action against 212 offenders statewide. Environmental fines totaling Rs 2.72 lakh have been levied on 89 individuals, with Rs 2.5 lakh already collected. Additionally, the Revenue Department has entered 69 “red entries” in land records for those involved in stubble burning, and 10 FIRs have been filed in connection with these incidents.
In Patiala district, some farmers have resorted to burning stubble as a form of protest against what they perceive as delays in paddy procurement and lifting.