Stubble burning incidents down 50% in Muktsar

Stubble burning incidents have come down nearly 50 per cent in comparison to the corresponding period last year in Muktsar district.

The district recorded 787 farm fires till Monday evening. The count was 1,647 in the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, 225 FIRs have been registered against the farmers who burnt paddy residue in their fields, which is said to be the highest number in the past few years. Further, the red entries have been made in the land records of 220 farmers for violating the law.

Jaspal Singh, Executive Engineer, Punjab State Pollution Control Board, Muktsar, said that a penalty of Rs 12.4 lakh has been imposed on the violators and Rs 3 lakh fine has already been collected.

He said, “Presently, 4-5 stubble burning cases are being recorded daily. This number has come down as the harvesting of paddy crop is almost over now.”