Punjab records 4,657 stubble-burning cases; 1,442 FIRs registered

Punjab recorded 4,657 stubble-burning incidents till November 9, 2026, despite ongoing monitoring and enforcement measures by the administration. According to the latest report of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), 1,442 FIRs have been registered in connection with these incidents, while environmental compensation of Rs 7.28 crore has been imposed. Of this amount, Rs 3.36 crore has been recovered so far.

The report stated that harvesting has been completed across 93.70 per cent of Punjab’s total paddy area of 32.87 lakh hectares. Monitoring teams have inspected 3,845 fields where fires were reported, while physical verification confirmed stubble-burning remains at 1,675 locations.

Patiala records 299 incidents

In Patiala district, 299 stubble-burning incidents have been reported. Of these, 195 fields have been inspected and fire traces confirmed at 122 locations. The authorities have registered 86 FIRs and imposed environmental compensation of Rs 43.50 lakh, of which Rs 15 lakh has been recovered.

Additionally, red entries have been made in 35 cases and 185 warning notices issued in the district.

Tarn Taran tops district tally

Among the districts, Tarn Taran recorded the highest number of stubble-burning incidents at 659, followed by Ferozepur with 621, Sangrur with 508 and Bathinda with 412.

In terms of FIRs, Ferozepur reported 365 cases, Tarn Taran 307, Sangrur 80 and Bathinda 19.
Despite inspections, FIRs, financial penalties and warning notices, stubble-burning continues to pose a challenge for the state administration. The figures underline the need for sustained enforcement and effective crop-residue management measures.