Punjab records 2,787 stubble burning cases with Rs 46.10 lakh in fines
The Punjab Pollution Control Board reported that 710 FIRs have been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with paddy stubble burning.
Punjab has recorded 2,787 incidents of paddy stubble burning across the state up to November 5, according to a report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) cited by ANI.
Field inspections were conducted at 2,194 locations, where stubble burning was confirmed at 994 sites. Environmental compensation (EC) fines totalling Rs 46.10 lakh have been imposed in 914 cases, with Rs 24.85 lakh recovered so far.
The administration has registered 710 First Information Reports (FIRs) under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and made 'red entries' in revenue records for 829 cases. Additionally, 786 warning or show-cause notices have been issued across the state.
Tarn Taran district reported the highest number of incidents with 586 cases, followed by Ferozepur with 361, Sangrur with 240, Amritsar with 221, and Bathinda with 216. In Ferozepur, burning was confirmed at 163 locations, while 49 sites were confirmed in Sangrur.
In Patiala district, 156 incidents were recorded, with 59 sites confirmed through inspections at 103 locations. The district imposed EC fines of Rs 2.15 lakh in 42 cases, recovering Rs 70,000, and registered 27 FIRs.
As of November 5, harvesting has been completed across 87.60 per cent of the 32.87096 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation in Punjab. Prosecution proceedings have been initiated against officials in 18 cases.