340 red entries, Rs 9 lakh fine: Punjab’s report to green tribunal on farm fires

Punjab has recorded 1,212 stubble-burning incidents in the past month, from September 15 to October 16, according to official data. During this period, 340 farmers faced “red entries” in their revenue records, with fines totalling Rs 9 lakh being imposed. Of that amount, Rs 7.67 lakh has been recovered, Punjab mentioned in its action taken report on dissuading farmers from burning crop residue to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In comparison, the state government collected Rs 1.88 crore in fines in 2023 from a total penalty amount of Rs 2.57 crore.
Farmers guilty of stubble burning will have a “red entry” in their MGNREGA farm management records. This will prevent them from selling crops through the e-Kharid portal in mandis for the next two seasons.
Amritsar recorded the most stubble-burning cases at 400, followed by Tarn Taran (261), and Patiala (134). Amritsar also saw 142 “red entries”. Pathankot, on the other hand, reported no incidents of stubble-burning during the same period.
The state’s agriculture secretary, in his 189-page action report, also outlined efforts to discourage farmers from burning crop residue. The report detailed last year’s penal actions and current measures.
Punjab’s large paddy cultivation area has historically made it a hotspot for stubble burning, but the number of incidents has dropped significantly this year. Till October 18, 2024, the state recorded 1,348 farm fires, down from 7,429 in 2020.
To enforce the NGT’s orders, 9,492 officers have been deployed across villages, clusters, tehsils, and districts to oversee compliance and impose penalties on farmers.
The NGT had earlier taken suo motu notice of a news report and, in a September 5 hearing, directed Punjab’s special chief secretary (development) to take further action based on previously filed status reports regarding efforts to contain crop residue burning.