Stubble Burning Latest Update: PPCB Imposes Fine on 285 Farmers

Sangrur district in Punjab witnessed 3,173 instances of residue burning during the Kharif (monsoon crop) season and experienced 8,006 farm fires in 2021.

The local government in Sangrur has acted swiftly and begun recording red entries in the revenue records of farmers who are found burning crop residues in their fields.

It is worth mentioning that around 12.66 percent of all agricultural fire incidences in Punjab have occurred in Sangrur. Despite the state government's "formal commitment" to farmers that it would not take action against them, the administration is moving through with its plans. But as of late, the government has been retaliating violently against farmers.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has fined 285 farmers a total of nearly 7.12 lakh rupees for engaging in this unlawful activity, with the Revenue Department marking red marks in their revenue records.

The Sangrur administration on Wednesday reported the greatest number of occurrences in the state for the sixth day in a row with 677 cases of agricultural fires however, the numbers fell on Thursday with 452 cases. In the Kharif (monsoon crop) season, Sangrur district recorded a total of 3,173 instances of residue burning, while the district also saw the greatest number of agricultural fires in the state with 8,006 cases in 2021.

Similarly in Haryana, more than 1,000 farmers were fined with over Rs. 36 lakhs. According to the officials, the highest farm residue burning was seen from the Kurukshetra and Karnal district with the maximum fine imposed there.

Haryana recorded 128 agricultural fires on Thursday, bringing the state's total number of residue-burning incidents to 2,377.

48 instances have been found in Fatehabad by the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC), followed by 27 in Jind, 19 in Kaithal, 11 in Sirsa, 5 in Ambala, 4 in Karnal and Hisar, 3 in Palwal and Yamunanagar, and 2 in Rohtak.