Agriculture

Punjab Records 2,787 Farm Fires, Tarn Taran Leads with 586 Incidents

By PTI

Between September 15 and November 5, 2026, Punjab reported 2,787 farm fire incidents. Tarn Taran accounted for 586 cases, while Ferozepur had 361. On November 4, stubble burning cases totaled 2,347. By November 5, Amritsar recorded 221 incidents, Bathinda 216, Sangrur 240, and Patiala 156. Authorities imposed fines exceeding ₹46 lakh for environmental compensation in 914 stubble burning cases, recovering more than ₹24 lakh. A total of 710 FIRs were registered for stubble burning, including 294 in Tarn Taran under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The annual farm fire monitoring period starts on September 15, two weeks before paddy procurement on October 1. Concerned by the high number of fires, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) met on November 4 with senior bureaucrats and police from 12 districts to review prevention steps. Chairperson Rajesh Verma presided over the video‑conference with the State’s Secretary of Environment, Secretary of Agriculture, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police. The Commission directed intensified monitoring and enforcement, holding nodal officers accountable for failures to prevent farm fires.