Patiala, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab has reported 5,002 stubble burning incidents during the ongoing paddy harvesting season, with authorities imposing environmental compensation, registering FIRs and making adverse entries in revenue records against farmers found violating crop-residue management guidelines.
According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) report dated November 10, field inspections have been conducted in 4,185 cases, while stubble burning has been physically confirmed at 1,833 locations across the state.
Environmental compensation has been imposed in 1,574 cases, with penalties totalling Rs 79.75 lakh. Of this amount, Rs 36.40 lakh has been recovered. FIRs have been registered in 1,155 cases, while red entries have been made in the revenue records of 1,342 cases.
Tarn Taran has recorded the highest number of incidents at 676, followed by Ferozepur with 654, Sangrur with 566, Bathinda with 439 and Patiala with 339.
In Patiala district, inspections were carried out on 260 farms, confirming burning at 166 locations. Environmental compensation amounting to Rs 5.80 lakh was imposed in 115 cases, of which Rs 2.40 lakh has been recovered. FIRs were registered in 123 cases and red entries made in 97 cases. Authorities also issued 225 warning notices.
The PPCB report further said prosecution proceedings had been initiated against 18 supervisory officers over alleged negligence in handling stubble burning cases. These include five officials from Ferozepur and 13 from Tarn Taran. No officer has been charged or suspended so far.
Punjab has 32.87 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation, with harvesting completed on 96.10 per cent of the area. Despite the season nearing its end, crop-residue burning remains a challenge for the state administration as it continues efforts to curb the practice and control air pollution.
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