The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) stated that in 226 such cases, environmental compensation of ₹11.45 lakh was imposed by way of fine; so far, ₹7.40 lakh of these fines have been realized.
As per reports from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), the incidents of farm fires in Punjab witnessed a steep rise with 512 cases till date.
Figures until October 23 indicate that Amritsar recorded the highest number of farm fire incidents with seven, followed by five in Tarn Taran, four in Sangrur, three each in Ferozepur and Mansa, two in Gurdaspur and Moga, and one each in Kapurthala and Patiala. This is due to the fact that most farmers are still not heeding government appeals to desist from burning crop residue.
Farmers burn crop residue in order to quickly clear land because there is a very narrow window of opportunity to plant the Rabi crop, wheat, after the paddy crop is harvested in October and November.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) stated that in 226 such cases, environmental compensation of ₹11.45 lakh was imposed by way of fine; so far, ₹7.40 lakh of these fines have been realized.
The figures also revealed that 184 FIRs had been lodged during the period under Section 223 (disobedience of order issued by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to cases involving stubble burning, with 61 in Tarn Taran and 53 in Amritsar.
Moreover, 187 red entries have also been posted by government authorities in the titles of farmers who had burnt crop stubble, mostly in Amritsar and Tarn Taran.
A red entry bars farmers from selling their properties or availing loans against it.
