Chandigarh, Oct 21: Punjab has seen a significant fall in farm fire incidents this season, officials reported, with total cases dropping to 353 as of October 20—a 75% decline from last year’s tally during the same period. Monday alone saw 45 new cases, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said.
Tarn Taran recorded the highest number of fires at 125, followed closely by Amritsar with 124. The reduction is stark compared with 2024 and 2023, when the state reported 1,445 and 1,618 incidents, respectively, by mid-October. Last year, 10,909 farm fires were recorded across Punjab, with Sangrur leading at 1,725 cases.
Experts point to delayed harvesting as a key factor. Untimely rainfall in early October slowed paddy harvesting, which is at 31.58% of 31.72 lakh hectares statewide. Amritsar and Tarn Taran have surpassed the 50% mark, but Malwa region districts—including Patiala, Barnala, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Mansa, and Ferozepur—have made slow progress, leaving fields unburned.
“Flood damage delayed paddy harvesting in Majha this year. That’s why the number of fires is low. Incidents have also been decreasing gradually each year,” a senior PPCB official said.
Punjab’s crackdown has further curbed stubble burning. Authorities placed 152 “red entries” in violators’ land records, preventing loans and property transactions. Environmental penalties totaling ₹8.05 lakh were imposed in 162 cases, of which ₹5.65 lakh has been recovered. Police have registered 149 FIRs, 61 in Tarn Taran alone, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Amid criticism from Delhi-based politicians, farmers rejected claims linking their stubble burning to worsening air quality in the capital. “Studies show stubble burning contributes only 6%-8% to Delhi’s pollution. With farm fires down by 75% this year, the BJP should stop demonising Punjab farmers,” said Jagmohan Singh of Bharatiya Kisan Union, Dakaunda.
Earlier, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya blamed AAP-led Punjab for Delhi’s poor air quality, saying, “Unless Kejriwal-ruled Punjab stops burning stubble, Delhi and NCR will continue to choke. It’s not Diwali but the stubble smoke that darkens Delhi skies.”
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher responded, “Statistics confirm our contribution is below 6%. BJP continues to spread misinformation. Delhi remains polluted even when farmers stop burning in December.”
