Farmer organizations in Punjab recently voiced strong opposition to the punitive actions taken against paddy cultivators for stubble burning. They are advocating for financial incentives to help farmers manage crop residue instead of resorting to burning.
Even with an ongoing ban, many farmers persist in burning crop residue. This method, though environmentally harmful, is often seen as the quickest way to clear fields for the subsequent wheat crop, given the tight sowing schedule.
The practice of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is frequently cited as a major contributor to the surge in air pollution experienced by Delhi, particularly during the paddy harvest months of October and November.
The tight timeline between paddy harvesting and the sowing of the next Rabi crop, primarily wheat, often compels farmers to quickly clear their fields, making burning seem like the most expedient solution.
Recent data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board indicates 95 fire incidents occurred between September 15 and September 29, with crop residue burning physically confirmed at 51 locations.
Amritsar district recorded the highest number of stubble burning cases at 55, followed by Tarn Taran with 11, Patiala with 10, Malerkotla with four, and Barnala and Kapurthala each reporting three incidents.
The PPCB data also reveals that environmental compensation fines totaling ₹2.30 lakh have been levied in 48 cases, with ₹1.80 lakh already collected.
Furthermore, 51 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged concerning these farm fire incidents, with Amritsar accounting for 22 and Tarn Taran for 11.
These cases fall under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), addressing the disobedience of official orders issued by a public servant.
State authorities have also initiated 32 ‘red entries’ in the land records of non-compliant farmers, predominantly in Amritsar. These entries prevent affected farmers from securing loans against or selling their agricultural land.
The official period for recording farm fire incidents commenced on September 15 and is slated to continue until November 30.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), sharply criticized the state government’s intensified actions against farmers.
He contended that farmers are being unfairly targeted, while industries – which he claims are the primary contributors to environmental pollution – face no such strict measures.
Pandher unequivocally condemned the registration of FIRs, the imposition of ‘red entries,’ and the levying of fines against farmers.
He emphasized that many small-scale farmers lack the financial means to purchase expensive crop residue management machinery.
The KMSC has announced plans to burn effigies of both the state and central governments on October 6. This protest aims to highlight the issue of penalties for stubble burning and demand fair compensation for farmers affected by recent floods.
Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan), urged the government to provide ₹2,500 per acre to farmers for effective stubble management.
Kokrikalan stressed that farmers do not willingly burn stubble but are often compelled to do so out of necessity.
He added that farmers themselves are among the first to experience the adverse effects of this pollution.
Similarly, Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Raminder Singh Patiala called for a payment of ₹200 per quintal to farmers for stubble management.
He further argued, ‘The government must provide Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery to farmers, as it’s simply not financially viable for small farmers to purchase these expensive machines.’
Mr. Patiala concluded by stating, ‘We strongly oppose the registration of legal cases against farmers.’
The SKM leader issued a warning of widespread protests if the crackdown on farmers continues. Interestingly, the state reported a significant 70% decrease in farm fires in 2024, with 10,909 incidents compared to 36,663 in 2023.
Historical data shows varied numbers of fire incidents: 49,922 in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, 76,590 in 2020, 55,210 in 2019, and 50,590 in 2018. During these years, districts like Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, and Amritsar consistently experienced a high volume of stubble burning.