Punjab Faces Rising Farm Fires Amid Procurement Season

• Oct 1, 2024

As Punjab’s procurement season begins, the state is facing a troubling surge in farm fires, with 26 incidents reported on Tuesday alone, particularly concentrated in Tarn Taran (11 cases), followed by Amritsar (5), Ferozepur (4), and others. This rise in incidents is alarming when compared to 123 cases in 2023 and 43 in 2022. In response, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has intensified its penal measures, imposing an environmental compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh, of which Rs 1 lakh has already been recovered. The Revenue Department has also marked approximately 30 farmers’ records with red entries, restricting their access to loans, mortgages, and land sales, while denying gun licenses. Additionally, five FIRs have been filed against unknown individuals for burning paddy residue, as the PPCB seeks to address the environmental impacts of farm fires and promote sustainable agricultural practices.