Punjab Reports 40 New Stubble-Burning Cases as Total FIRs Reach 246

Punjab recorded 40 new stubble-burning cases on Friday, contributing to a total of 44 farm fire incidents reported across states on that day, according to data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS).

State-Wise Stubble Burning Overview

On Friday, the remaining four farm fire cases were reported from Rajasthan. This brought the cumulative count of farm fire incidents to 2,739 across seven states for the ongoing paddy harvesting season. Previously, Punjab had recorded 194 farm fire cases on Thursday, marking its highest single-day count of the season.

Cumulative figures across the seven states show:

• Punjab: 1,047 cases
• Rajasthan: 614 cases
• Madhya Pradesh: 528 cases
• Uttar Pradesh: 345 cases
• Uttarakhand: 174 cases
• Haryana: 29 cases
• Delhi: 2 cases

Among 159 districts across seven states reporting incidents so far, Tarn Taran continued to lead with 405 cases. Rajasthan's Baran and Bundi districts recorded 194 and 192 cases respectively, while Amritsar ranked fourth with 175 cases.

Punitive Actions and Enforcement

Authorities have intensified punitive measures alongside the rise in incidents:

• First Information Reports (FIRs): A total of 246 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for disobedience of public servant orders. District-wise counts include 165 in Tarn Taran, 24 in Amritsar, 17 in Kapurthala, 10 each in Ferozepur and Jalandhar, seven in Gurdaspur, four each in Fazilka and Patiala, two each in Muktsar and Sangrur, and one in Faridkot.
• Environmental Compensation: Environmental compensation amounting to Rs 17.5 lakh has been imposed across 349 cases, with authorities recovering Rs 13.15 lakh.
• Land Records: Red entries have been entered into land records in 297 cases.
• Officer Accountability: Authorities have issued warnings and show-cause notices to 426 nodal and supervisory officers.

Practical Implications and Verification

Readers seeking to verify agricultural burning statistics or administrative actions can consult official updates from monitoring agencies like CREAMS or state agriculture departments. Local developments can be tracked through regional reporting and official announcements.